Little One, Little Danger
A/N: How's it going guys, I'm sure you didn't expect to hear from me so soon lol. Like I said in the previous chapter, I've gotten a spark of inspiration to continue this lovely story. We left off with our heroes in some very sticky situations. Let's see what they're in for next. Enjoy!
Chapter 26: The Rescue
Aqualad brought the sub-jet closer to what looked to be a facility rooted into the ocean's floor, but his scanners picked up something else. The place seemed to be protected by an invisible force field that, more than likely, made it possible for such a building to exist in such an environment. He didn't want to attack the field carelessly, especially if the owner was situated inside and might detect their presence. Though he didn't really know if the place was an actual threat at all, but the fact that it was throwing out sonic waves, made him think that the residents weren't all too innocent. There had to be a way for them to get in without making a lot of commotion; only one thing came to mind and he was going to need a little help.
Aqualad unhooked himself from the pilot's seat, "Star, wait here."
The girl became confused, "What? Why, what are you going to do?"
"This place should have some kind of secret entrance and I know the only ones who can help to figure that out." He said as he pushed a button right under his feet, "Hold your breath for a bit."
Star nodded as she did what she was told. Suddenly a hole, big enough for Aqualad to fit through, appeared right under his feet causing him to drop into the ocean. The hole immediately closed after he had gone under but it didn't keep out a significant amount of water to get into the vehicle; the reason why he told his friend to hold her breath. Though soon after the hole closed, the same vents that let out that white mist earlier, also drained the water from the cod-pit. Once all the water was gone, Star exhaled and let the oxygen she was holding in, out, as she looked out the front of the shield. She could see Aqualad swimming in-front of the sub-jet, but then stopped as he kicked his feet back and forth to keep himself from sinking further down. He put up his right hand and used his fingers to make the "OK" sign to see if the girl was alright from the sudden change that took place. Starfire gave him a smile and nodded her head to let him know things were fine and he could continue doing what he had to do.
After making sure that the alien princess was okay, Aqualad turned his back on his sub-jet and immediately sent out telekinetic waves in every direction possible. He waited for about thirty seconds without getting a reply back, so he sent out the waves once again but this time with a much more higher frequency. Ten seconds had gone by as he felt a sudden change in the pressure of the water that surrounded him; he had finally reached someone. The water expert closed his eyes so that he could sense where the presence was going to emerge from; he turned his head to the west. When he opened his eyes he could see a shadow-like figure passing through the water a lot easier than he could ever do.
As it got closer, the figure grew in size and Aqualad could almost see clearly, the inhabitant of this sea that he called upon. The moment he could make out what his helper was, it stopped about five feet away from where the young man resided; a frilled shark. It had been awhile since Aqualad ran into one of those and he didn't care for them much, but he needed the sea creature's insight anyway. He could hear that the shark was wondering if Aqualad was the one who let out a very unusual call of distress.
He bowed in the creature's direction and spoke through his telekinesis, "Yes. I needed to get a bit of information about the facility that lays ahead of me." He used his right hand to point in the direction of the underwater building. The frilled shark turned around and seemed to take a look at what Aqualad referred to, then it turned it's attention back at him. He smiled as he understood the shark to be familiar with the place because of it's living around the root of the building for many years.
"Do you by any chance know the way to get in?" Aqualad posed the question.
The shark mentioned that it's memory wasn't the best and of how old it was, but remembered that there was an opening on the east side where some sort of metal transport would submerge from the surface. The creature then looked down and let him know about a special type of marble that could call upon that transport. If Aqualad really wanted to get in, it had one of those marbles back in it's living area, which would only take about ten minutes for it to go and get.
"Thank you, I would really appreciate it."
As soon as Aqualad gave the frilled shark the OK, it quickly turned around and swam away from him in a downward diagonal path. The young man turned around once again to check on Starfire; she was still trying to dry off the top portion of her uniform, which she removed. He quickly turned back around blushing at the fact that he had just seen the young woman topless, though by mistake. Why in the world was she doing that in the open? Sure he was occupied with getting them information, but she could've put the shield in it's tent-mode...then again, she might not know about that feature. Aqualad shook his head of his thoughts; the two of them rode in silence all the way here and he didn't mean for the atmosphere between them to be so awkward.
What happened between them a few moments ago was just a moment of weakness on both of their parts. There was no way that they could be involved in a romantic relationship, especially in the current emotional state they were both in. He had always found her attractive, but that was where it stayed, nice to look at but not get involved with. Star was a great girl, but they were very good friends and he didn't want to mess that up, though that little charade back there might've done significant damage already. It wasn't only him, but he figured she had the same thoughts on the matter; he still loved Raven and she Robin.
Flashes of what just happened between them popped into his head and he wanted to kick himself for letting it happen, even though, he guessed, that he was the one who kind of initiated it. He didn't say a thing and next thing he knew, they were all over one another and he hated himself for actually enjoying it. But was he really going to do one of his friends to try to get over the woman that he desired so much? Aqualad ran his gloved fingers through his black hair that flowed in the slight current of the water, ashamed of his actions. If Starfire thought she was a horrible person just for having ill thoughts against their friends, then what category of low-life did he fall in?
All of a sudden he felt the pressure in the water change again and he figured that his shark friend was on it's way back with the marble. The sea creature swam back up to him, this time a foot closer and threw something Aqualad's way from it's mouth.
"Thank you very much for your help." Aqualad grabbed the small glassed object and lifted it up at the frilled shark with a smile on his face. Before the young man turned to leave, the shark called a warning out to him which caught his curiosity. It mentioned that the facility used to be owned by a dangerous and vindictive woman named Sephora many years ago. But now it was occupied by some new individuals that were just as vindictive and conniving; someone named Kida. Who happened to have had her right hand person kidnap a woman and bring her to the facility.
"Kida? Why does that name sound so familiar? Well I guess the residents inside are a threat after-all." He thought to himself, but then used his telekinesis on the shark once more, "Can you describe their captive?" The frilled shark turned around, as if it was going to just swim away, but it let Aqualad know that the prisoner seemed to be wearing a blue cloak with long, wavy, purple-colored hair, skin the color of a pale seashell with a gem that resided in the middle of her forehead. As the creature finally made it's leave, Aqualad didn't realize he stopped kicking his feet after he heard the description of the kidnapped victim. It sounded just like Raven...who else would look like that in this world? But why in the world would she be in Tokyo and why would someone want to take her captive? He sunk deeper towards the bottom of the sea as the thoughts in his head just kept running with negativity. Maybe she came here to speak with Robin as well, but that wouldn't explain the situation she was currently in. Raven was a very strong fighter, so her opponent must've been very skilled to overpower and take her in to their boss...Kida.
"No Star, Kida is just a friend."
Aqualad's eyes widened and he stopped himself from sinking as he remembered the words Robin dished out to Starfire when she confronted him about the woman they saw him hanging around with earlier that day. It couldn't be the same woman could it? But it was unusual to hear that unfamiliar name twice in the past few hours wasn't it? He swam back up to where he left Starfire and the sub-jet. Once he was in-front of the shield, he spotted Star, who had finally got dressed, and signaled her to hold her breath once again. He saw her let out a slight sigh as she inhaled air and he swam underneath the area of the small vehicle that he submerged. The sensor that was placed there detected his presence and opened the hole once again; he quickly swam up and entered into the sub-jet with the hole closing right behind him.
The vents went to work once again with draining the water out and letting Star exhale the oxygen she had gathered in her lungs. But she looked down at herself and noticed the top of her uniform that she wore, and had just got finished drying, had gotten wet again.
"Did you find out anything?" She asked her water friend who quickly sat in the pilot's seat.
"Yeah, but something's come up." He replied without even looking at her as he pushed a few buttons on the control panel.
"What is that?"
"The ones that own that building, don't happen to be good guys. Also...I think they've might've taken Raven as a captive."
Star became surprised, "R-Raven? How is that possible? When I had left them behind, she was still with friend Cyborg at the Tower."
"That's the thing that I don't get as well. But my little shark friend down there told me an exact description of the woman that those villains dragged into their hideout, and it fitted Raven's perfectly."
Starfire didn't know what to say, the last time she saw the woman was when they had their fight on the roof of their home. Was she in danger? The girl felt worse about herself, more than ever now, and it took all she had not to cry, "W-who would do such a thing?"
"A name was given...Kida."
Star's eyes widened as she quickly turned to face Aqualad, "Kida? The woman that was with my Robin earlier?"
"That's the only person that comes to mind for me too."
"How do we get in?" Starfire leaned forward to look out the shield and over to where the facility resided.
She suddenly felt Aqualad place something in her left hand, "With this."
Star opened her hand and looked down at what seemed to be a marble, "We are not going to play the jacks are we?"
Aqualad smirked, "Hopefully not." He hit the thrusters and pulled the vehicle full speed towards the building that laid ahead of them.
{scene jump}
At 2:00am, a falcon, green in color, landed on the roof of a hotel building as it entered the city limits of Tokyo, Japan. Not too far behind it, came a figure that landed on the same rooftop some feet away as the falcon morphed into a young man, keeping it's color in skin. The other figure belonged to a young woman who turned around to give her companion a smile of satisfaction, "See, that wasn't too bad."
Beastboy bended his back to stretch it out as he walked over to her, "If you say so Raiden."
"Oh come on, we made it here...didn't we..." The girl suddenly felt light headed as she stumbled on her feet about to collapse, but Beastboy reacted quickly and caught her.
"You were saying?" He gave her a smile.
"I guess that little flight here took a lot more out of me than I thought." She blushed a little as the boy helped her to her feet, but put her right arm around his shoulder.
"Maybe your body isn't used to the change just yet." BB replied as he led them to the roof's exit door.
"Maybe you're right, I just need to rest a bit to recuperate."
"How about a bite to eat?"
15 minutes later
Beastboy and Raiden sat at a table in the hotel's restaurant, the employees apparently mistook them for guests, especially since they recognized Beastboy as being one of the Titans. Even though the hours for the eating facility was closed, management had it opened up and their meal was complimentary in which BB nor Raiden hesitated to accept. He had ordered a coke to drink while she ordered a water; the hotel seemed to be empty and quiet, though that was most likely the fault of the hour. They ordered simple meals because of that hour and didn't want the chef to go all out, even if the meal was free. Both waited for a bowl of miso soup and sides of garden salads, since Beastboy didn't eat anything that once had a face.
"It shouldn't be too long before they bring us the grub." Beastboy gave the girl a smile and she returned it.
"Well isn't that a relief. To think, my first date would be with Uncle BB." She stuck her tongue out at him and winked playfully.
Beastboy's face dropped as he narrowed his eyes at her, "Look you, this isn't a date. You're mom and dad would kill me if you tell them lies like that."
"Aw! But you practically carried me all the way here, your arm around my waist and everything!" She whined to tease him.
The boy's face flushed to a red color, "Hey! That was to support you since you're body had become so weak."
Raiden looked at him slyly as she smirked, "That sounded so perverted just now."
BB wanted to pull his hair out, "Where do you get this attitude from?!"
The girl then burst out into laughter and Beastboy just looked at her a bit confused and annoyed, but the longer he looked at her the more he found her behavior adorable. She kind of reminded him of her...that thought softened the expression on his face as he smiled softly which caught Raiden's attention. The girl became a little flustered as her laughter died down and she wondered what was going on with her companion. He seemed to be looking at her with this sort of warmth and it made her a little nervous as she could feel her face getting hot by her blushing. Raiden sipped on her water as she tried to avoid eye contact with him, but was failing terribly at it.
"What? I-Is there something on my face?" She asked the green boy.
BB shook his head and chuckled nervously, "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to stare, I guess I just got in a trance."
His comment made Raiden blush even more, "A-A trance?" She wondered if she really had that kind of effect on him.
"You remind me a lot of her." He lowered his eyes and chuckled softly to himself.
"Oh..." She thought as her previous line of thinking was thrown out the window, "...my mother?"
Beastboy laughed out loud which startled her a bit, "You are far from being anything like Raven!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" He saw the girl cross her arms over her chest and give him a stern look.
"N-Not in a bad way. You're mom is cool and everything.." BB stumbled over his words, "B-But I was thinking about someone else..."
"Could it be the girl in the photo that I came across to in your wallet? The one with the blonde hair..." Raiden looked to the right of her, wanting to avoid eye contact.
Beastboy became surprised as he blushed, rubbed the back of his head with his right hand and chuckled nervously, "Oh! Y-You saw that? I thought I threw that old photo out haha."
Raiden looked at him and smirked, "I'm sure you did."
"No seriously haha...but, yeah. That's who I was thinking about...Terra." His facial expression softened again and it nearly ate at Raiden's heart.
"W-Was she an old...g-girl...girlfriend?" The young lady finally got the words out of her mouth as she blushed again.
The young man who sat across from her hunched his shoulders, "I guess that's what some people would call it."
Raiden felt her heart drop at the fact that BB really did have an ex-girlfriend, "What ever happened to her?"
Her question made his facial expression change again, but this time to that of a sad one, "She decided to go her own way and forget about us...about me."
Suddenly anger rose up within Raiden; what kind of girl was that, to leave Garfield all alone by himself and break his heart?! Why, if she would see her right then and there, she would kick her ass for him. She would never had let such an awesome guy like him...Raiden had to stop in the tracks of her thoughts. What in the world was she saying? This was Uncle BB she was talking about right now, it wasn't logical for her to feel more than a friendship with him. But he was so adorable with those pointed ears and the hanging fang from the left side of his mouth! "Stop it Raiden!"
"We had been through so much together...I couldn't understand her reasoning at first but now...I think I do..." Beastboy leaned back in his chair as his gaze rested on the silverware that he grasped in his hand, a spoon.
Raiden looked at the young man across from her now and, just like the scene within the hospital, didn't recognize who this person was. Where was the happy-go-lucky, video game playing juvenile that she was used to hanging around? Did this Terra girl effect him this much? To the point of him losing who he really is? Can't be. Raiden wanted to give that nonchalant face some color, some brightness to it, but what words of comfort could she provide when she barely knew his history with that blonde heart-breaker. But if she didn't try, then she'd hate herself for it in the long run, "Garfield...?" Before she could get her slight words of comfort and encouragement out, their waiter arrived with their dishes, cutting her sentence short.
"Well, great food always makes things better doesn't it." BB replied with a big smile on his face as he readied himself to dig into both the soup and salad. It was like his aura changed within a matter of seconds which kind of made Raiden feel a bit foolish. Maybe he wasn't really that down about the memory and really did understand the situation that took place, whoever knows how long, some time ago. The young woman passed a soft smile across her face as she watched her green companion chow down the food like he hadn't eaten in weeks, before she started on her own.
30 minutes later
The two stepped out of the front entrance of the hotel and onto the city's streets that seemed to still be full of life.
"So...where to now?" BB patted his full stomach with satisfaction.
Raiden closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on finding the slight image she had seen earlier within her thoughts. It was a bit difficult to meditate with all the noise around them, but she didn't want to go back into the hotel.
Beastboy turned in her direction and realized that she was struggling in her concentration, "Should we head back up to the roof? Maybe the noise would die up there."
The girl shook her head, "I can't, I still feel like I need some more time to recuperate."
All of a sudden BB changed into a pterodactyl and grabbed hold of Raiden by both her shoulders with his talons. He then ascended them up twenty floors and to the roof of the hotel building yet again, placing her carefully onto the paved cement. "How's that?" He chuckled, still in his pterodactyl form which caused Raiden to laugh.
"Thanks Beastboy." She said as she straightened herself up and then sat Indian-styled, just in the same manner as her mother, which hit BB as a dejavu of some sorts.
Raiden then pinched her index finger and thumb together on both hands while resting the back of them on each of her knees. She closed her eyes and inhaled, then exhaled. Beastboy had finally changed back to himself as he watched her. It seemed odd to him that he was watching the girl do exactly what Raven would do as a past-time at the Tower. Did mediation really help the mind?
He decided to sit across from the young woman, Indian-style, resting the palms of his hands on both knees. A slight breeze passed over them, which immediately caused him to shiver from the sudden brisk coolness of the wind. But he noticed that the girl in-front of him didn't flinch once. Her hair blew with the direction of the wind and he was mesmerized by the sight in-front of him; a spitting image of the friend that he always fought alongside. Well two of them, anyway. Sure there were differences, like her fierce personality and huge breasts, "But that's beside the point Garfield!" he thought to himself as he shook his head of the thought.
Skin as pale as that of a porcelain doll, but a lot smoother and fine. Hair as dark as the night sky within a country setting, but shined as the stars would during a blackout. Eyes as blue and clear as the waters that surrounded the southern islands, which could probably read right through you. Were Robin's eyes, in actuality, this color? BB could feel himself staring at the girl across from him for sometime now and he knew he should turn away, but it was hard to do so.
"Is there something on my face?" Uh oh, guess his staring wasn't as stealth-like as he thought.
"S-Sorry, there's nothing. I just..." BB blushed as he rubbed the back of his head nervously.
Raiden passed a sly grin across her face, eyes still closed and position unmoved, "I don't think my parents would find it humorous, you staring at me like that."
"You're not going to tell them are you?" Sweat ran down the back of his neck as he chuckled nervously.
"I'm not sure. Though..." She opens both of her eyes, "...I do find it flattering."
"Well I uh..." BB blushed as he turned his head away from her a bit flustered.
The girl smiled until it happened. The images, the vision that she had witnessed within her mind earlier at the hospital. Though a few things were different than the previous time. Robin was with a woman, someone who Raiden had not knowledge of, she was not her mother at all. Then he was with Mr. Bruce Wayne within an apartment along with Cyborg.
Hearing a few gags coming from the girl's mouth caused Beastboy to turn his attention back to her and noticed that her eyes were glowing and her mouth was opened about a inch. The green teen leaned over to her and cupped her left cheek in his left hand, "Raiden? Raiden it's happening isn't it?" There was no answer given to him in return, but he did worry about her well-being.
Raiden then saw what she never thought she would see in her lifetime. Her mother, Raven, strung up by both her wrists in chains; she was someone's prisoner. As fast as the vision came, is as fast as it went as Raiden blinked her eyes a few times, just to meet Beastboy's green ones.
"Raiden, are you okay?"
She lowered her head, "I-I think so. But..." The girl could feel herself wanting to give way to tears.
The cheek that he still cupped in his hand, he brushed his thumb against, "What? What did you see?"
"Confusing things...my father with another woman...then Mr. Wayne and then...then, my m-mother..." Raiden placed her right hand over her mouth.
"What is it? Did something happen to Raven?" Beastboy's voice became stern as he turned the girl to look at him again.
"Garfield..." The first tear ran down her left cheek and passed along his hand, "...she's being held prisoner."
The shock on BB's face only confirmed the reality that Raiden wished she could escape from. There was no way her mother, who happened to be skilled in her arts, could be taken down by someone...right? Maybe what she saw wasn't real at all. But it was like she could feel her mother's pain and struggle...they were connected in that way.
"Where? Where can we find her?" BB grasped her shoulders.
"I-I'm not sure...it seemed like a secluded area."
"Okay, how many secluded areas could be in Tokyo?" BB got to his feet, though soon later realizing that the city was probably full of secluded areas. "Um...this might be a bit more difficult than I thought." He chuckled nervously.
Raiden got to her feet and walked over to him, "I'm pretty sure I saw a dock."
"Okay, now we're getting somewhere!" BB fist-pumped.
The young woman then placed her two fingers on her right temple, "Garfield...I think the place where my mother is being held is surrounded by water."
"Yeah I'm sure, especially if it's around the docks."
She placed her right hand on his left shoulder, "No, you don't understand...it's surrounded by water." Seeing that her companion's expression was one of confusion, Raiden figured that she had to pick the correct words to make him understand, "Maybe I should say that the place is emerged in water."
"So you're saying that this place is situated underwater?"
"Yes."
"Wow." Beastboy rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, it's not like I'm a novice in working underwater. But what about you, how are you feeling?"
"A lot better, thank you."
"Well there you have it, our team is set and ready to go. Just point us in the right direction Ms. Grayson." BB turned to give her a sly grin.
{scene jump}
The T-car had been driven up to the edge of the docks and parked as the driver, along with the passenger, stepped out. Robin and Cyborg looked out at the darkened sea that laid in-front of them, until they heard footsteps heading their way. They quickly turned around only to see Bruce walking over to join them, "A bit jumpy are we."
"So...where is it?" Robin crossed his arms across his chest.
"Where is what?" Bruce shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Where is Kida and Raven? Bruce there's nothing here but a few fishing boats and sorry excuses for beach houses." Robin said frustrated.
"Well the tracker is never wrong, though I doubt they would have their 'lair of terror' in a beach house. Especially those that small and insignificant, Kida has too much class for that."
"I think you're getting off subject Bruce." Cyborg shook his head, though a little amused.
"Yeah well, the answer is simple Dick."
"Oh yeah, how so..." Suddenly images flashed in Robin's mind within a split second, causing him to stop in mid-sentence.
"The facility is..."
"Underwater." Robin finished Bruce's sentence.
"Very good Dick, you haven't lost all your common sense just yet."
"I still hadn't finished the modifications on the T-car's underwater gear. There's no way we can use that to emerge." Cyborg mentioned.
"I could send out the single to my underwater jet, though it might take half an hour to get here." Bruce folded his arms over his chest.
"No." Robin walked over to where the land met with the sea.
"No what?" Cyborg asked.
"That won't work. Even if we were to go under in your jet, we couldn't get passed the force-field."
"There's a force-field? Wait...how do you know that there's a force-field?" Cyborg raised his right eyebrow.
"There is, however, a way to get in." Robin bended forward and down to dig through the sand of the shoreline, near the beams of the dock that were rooted in the earth engulfed in the salty water
Cyborg looked at Robin worryingly and turned to Bruce, "I think he's finally lost it."
Bruce shrugged his shoulders, "Well, we all knew it would happen one day, so there's no need to act surprised."
Finally, Robin's fingers brushed over the thing that he had been looking for, surprised that it still resided in this same spot. He grabbed hold of the small rounded glassed object and pulled back his hands out of the sea. Opening his hand, the water made the marble as shiny as ever and Robin couldn't help but pass a grin across his face.
"You alright there Robin?" Cyborg called to him.
"I just found our way to where we need to go." The Titan's leader turned around to the two who stood some feet behind him.
"Really now? What would that be?" Bruce asked in a monotone.
Robin walked up to them and held up the marble in-between his index finger and thumb, "This."
Cyborg squinted his eyes, "Is that a marble?"
Bruce rubbed his temples a bit annoyed, "Damn it Dick...you really have lost it."
"No I haven't! Look..." Robin sighed as he closed his eyes, then opened them, "...just trust me will you."
Cyborg looked at Bruce who glanced in his direction, then they both looked back at Robin. Bruce then sighed, "Fine. You have one chance to prove that you're not a lunatic. But if you fail, after all this is over, we'll be paying a visit to Arkham's Asylum."
"That's a bit extreme don't you think." Cyborg shivered at the thought of the place for the insane.
All Robin did was nod his head in agreement and motioned for his two partners to follow him down the dock itself. Once they made it down to the end, they waited behind him for the next move. Robin didn't really know what to expect himself, but he wasn't going to let Bruce know that; there was no way he was going to the asylum. He brought the marble up to eye-level and examined it before dropping in into the sea below. The eyes of the two behind him, could be felt like stabs to the back of his head, because of this simple action that was supposed to help them get into this hidden facility. Now that he thought about it, Robin got the feeling of maybe he was indeed going crazy...at least until it happened. Something slowly emerged out of the water where he dropped the marble, about the height of your average male. It looked like a tube, clear and cylinder-like as the front, which faced the dock, slid open where a round metal slate resided at the bottom.
"Are you kidding me?" Cyborg laughed.
"See..." Robin turned to them and smiled, "...our way in." "Thank God I'm not going crazy!" He thought to himself.
Bruce raised his right eyebrow, "How did he know about that?"
"Shall we go then?" Robin was about to step forward.
"Are we going one by one? Because, it doesn't seem to fit but one person." Cyborg walked up and leaned over the side to examine the transportation device.
Sweat ran down the back of Robin's neck, "Well uh...I don't think one-by-one is an option. It's a one way trip, unless one of us dives in and grabs the marble again."
"You have got to be kidding me." Bruce ran the fingers of his left hand through his hair.
Cyborg's left temple started to twitch, "So, what are you suggesting?"
{scene jump}
The ride in the tube for Starfire and Aqualad, couldn't have been more uncomfortable for the two friends. Not complaining about the frilled shark's help, but the sea creature did forget to mention that this little way of getting in, was meant for one human body. He had let her enter first, her back against the far end of the tube and unconsciously walking in facing her instead of backwards. But it was too late to change his position since the entrance/exit instantly shut behind them which caused him to press his body against hers. Aqualad's hands were extended upward as his palms rested on the back of the tube on each side of Star. Faces almost touching as their chests collided with one another, legs intertwined and trying to keep their pelvises from touching.
It didn't take long to make it to the facility and through the force-field, but the trip seemed like years to the two inside. Once the exit appeared again, behind Aqualad, he quickly backed up and away from the young woman inside. Starfire walked out a little after him and for a moment the two didn't face each-other as she rubbed her left forearm with her right hand. The water titan couldn't stand the awkwardness anymore and decided to try and set things straight between the two of them.
"Star..." He rubbed the back of his head, "...about what happened in the sub-jet..."
"I am sorry." Aqualad blinked his eyes a few times a bit surprised at the girl's apology, but she did know that it wasn't all her fault, right?
"No Star, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to influence your actions."
"But you did not. I acted out on my own accord. You should know I do not do anything on account of someone else manipulation." The alien princess didn't turn to face him but he could hear the sadness in her voice.
Aqualad outstretched his right hand and grasped her left shoulder to turn her to face him, "That I do know, but I also know that you're willing to take all the blame if it will make the other person feel secured or better. You should know that I'm not the type of person to be pitied on because, I too, am responsible for my own actions."
The words of her friend, made Starfire pass a grin across her face, "I guess you are right. We are both to blame for the inappropriate actions that were carried out."
"Well, if you say it that way, it makes the situation seem worse than what it is." He chuckled nervously.
"Is it not?" Star looked at him a bit confused, "Should not the making of love be between two lovers instead of two friends?"
Aqualad blushed at her question, "Um...I guess you're right Star."
"Then? Was it not inappropriate?" She rested both of her hands on her hips.
"Well uh..."
Their conversation was then cut short by a sound that caught their attention, some feet away from where they stood. Starfire and Aqualad turned to the left of them and saw three individuals that would have been at the bottom of their list to run into here.
"R-Robin?"
Robin, Bruce and Cyborg fell out of the tube they were cramped up in, all at once, crashing down onto the floor. Robin held his head as tears formed in the outer corners of his mask. Bruce held his groin as he laid in the feeble-position, cursing underneath his breath. The only one that really didn't have any kind of damage done to himself was Cyborg who was trying to catch his breath from lack of oxygen.
"Cyborg, I thought I told you not to put your arm there!" Robin snapped at him.
"Hey! It wasn't my fault. You should've said it was only going to be a one way trip! Then we could've come up with a better plan!"
"That would've taken too long." Bruce slowly stood on his feet, but still a little bent over.
"Exactly! What Bruce said. Who knows what they're doing with Raven."
With the two friends bickering, they didn't notice the two new people walking up, but some steps away, to their group. Bruce then sensed eyes on them and turned his attention elsewhere, only to spot the other two Titans that he hadn't seen in awhile.
"Hey, you two shut up."
"Yeah, shut up." Robin cracked his neck.
"That includes you too Dick. We have company."
"What? Did they detect us already?" Cyborg turned around as he readied his arm-cannon, until he saw his two friends.
Robin turned around as well, "So much for sneaking in." He became a bit shocked, but there wasn't any words that were coming to mind for the moment taking place.
"Star? Aqualad?" Cyborg walked forward.
"Friend Cyborg..." Starfire remembered the last time she had saw him, he was trying to stop her from leaving, she felt bad about it now and could feel herself wanting to cry. "...I am...so sorry."
She suddenly felt his cold metallic arms around her, giving her a hug; a hug that she returned, "There's no need to be sorry Star. I'm just glad that you're okay. You are okay aren't you?" He pulled her away from him and examined her.
Star nodded as she wiped the tears away from her eyes, "Yes, I am fine. Friend Aqualad has been taking care of me."
Cyborg released her and looked over at Aqualad, "Thanks for looking after her Aqua. But I have to wonder, what are you two doing here?"
"Yes, I would like to know that too." Bruce said as he walked up to them, arms folded across his chest.
Star bowed, "Mr. Wayne." She then lifted herself up to lock eyes with Robin's mask.
Aqualad shrugged his shoulders, "I could ask you three the same question but I'm sure that you're more on top of things than we are. My transport detected some unusual sonic waves coming from down here, so we came to check it out."
"But how did you get through the force-field?" Robin walked up finally and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, are we talking now?" Aqualad smirked.
"Just talk son." Bruce replied before Robin could come back with something.
The water teen sighed, "A frilled shark told me about some marble that was the key to working around the force-field."
"A shark?" Bruce raised his right eyebrow.
Cyborg leaned over to him, "He can communicate with sea creatures remember."
"Oh yeah, I keep forgetting there's a miniature Aquaman running around."
"There was also something else that the shark let me know." Aqualad spoke again, but looked directly at Robin, "Which I'm guessing is your reason for being here as well."
The thought quickly sent pangs to Robin's heart, "Raven."
"What about this Kida?" Star asked.
Robin looked over at Bruce, "That's Bruce's department."
Aqualad raised his right eyebrow, "And why is that?"
"That doesn't matter. We need to move quickly before things get out of hand. Who knows what kind of things she has planned for her unwanted guests." Bruce replied.
"Is she powerful? I mean...to capture Friend Raven...she must be." Star lowered her head.
"According to Bruce, she's a force to be reckoned with." Cyborg said.
"So...we need to work together." Aqualad folded his arms over his chest as he snickered.
Robin, annoyed by his comment, then walked up to him and stared him down, "Look, I understand where you're coming from of not wanting to work together, believe me, the feeling's mutual. But if it means that we can get Raven back safe and sound, I'm all for it."
Aqualad smirked, "Fine. For Raven."
"Now that that's settled, how about we formulate a plan." Cyborg said.
Suddenly another sound, a few feet away from them, caught their attention as they all readied themselves to fight.
"Wow, that was some landing." A young man coughed as he shook his head to rid himself of the dizziness that overcame him.
"S-Sorry about that. I wasn't sure if I could get through or not, so I just went full speed ahead." The young woman replied back to him as she stood on her feet and dusted off her pants.
"But we're in though, right Raiden?" Beastboy stood up as well.
"Yeah, I think so." She looked to their left.
"Beastboy?!"
The two of them turned to their right and noticed the five people who stood some feet away from their position, one in particular that caught Raiden's eye.
"Yo Cyborg! Star! Aqua! Robin! And even Bruce! You guys are all here too! Except..." BB scanned the ones that started to walk over and noticed that Raven wasn't amongst them.
"Who's that girl with Friend Beastboy?" Star asked.
Cyborg squinted his eyes, "Beats me. Hey BB! Did you get yourself a new girlfriend?!"
Robin didn't know why his team was acting so dumb-founded, though he guessed any father would recognize his daughter no matter what changes they underwent. His heart rate started to rise at the pure
feeling of the happiness of seeing his little Raiden.
"Wait a minute...that, that can't be..." Cyborg stared in shocked.
"Who?" Bruce asked.
"L-Little Raiden?" Starfire placed her right hand over her mouth.
Bruce's eyes widened, "That's that little crumb-snatcher that you brought to the mansion?!"
Cyborg looked at Bruce from the corner of his eyes, "That was uncalled for Bruce."
All of a sudden he felt a arm halt him from walking any further. Cyborg looked down to see Aqualad's arm holding him back. Before he decided to remove it, the water teen motioned for him to look ahead at their leader who seemed to be in a trance and walking further ahead, alone. Cyborg understood then, what was going on. Robin stared into the eyes of the young woman who waited for him. The tears started to form in the creases of his mask as he walked, but he brought his right hand up to his identity sealer and removed it so she could look into the eyes that matched her own. Raiden had begun to cry ever since he took the first step in her direction, and Beastboy slowly made his way toward the other four people as he tried to compose himself not to stare at his leader's revealed eyes.
Robin finally made his way up to her as he used his right hand to caress her left cheek, "Raiden..."
"D-Daddy..." She choked out.
"Oh...my baby girl...I'm so sorry..."
Raiden shook her head and jumped into his arms as she used her own to wrap around his waist crying into his chest, "I...missed you..."
"I missed you too."
"That would be adorable, if I wasn't freaked out by it. And I've seen a lot of freaky things." Bruce said to the group around him; Starfire had succumbed to tears already.
Suddenly something snapped in Raiden's mind, "Daddy?! Mom, she's...!"
Robin nodded his head, "Yes, I know. That's why all of us are here. We're going to rescue her no matter what."
"Is it safe to come over now? I want to hug little Raiden too." Cyborg pouted as he bounced up and down.
His words and actions caused the two of them to smile, "Of course you all can come over." Robin replied.
Cyborg ran over and picked the young woman off of the ground and spun her in the air, "Raiden! How'd you get so big? What have you been up to while Uncle Cy was gone huh?"
The girl chuckled, "Nothing really. Before I woke up in the hospital..."
"Hospital?" Robin raised his right eyebrow.
"...I remembered bungee-jumping off the Tower with Garfield." The young woman smiled.
"Bungee-jumping..." Robin shot daggers Beastboy's way with his eyes, along with everyone else.
Sweat dripped down the green teen's neck, "I can explain."
"You let my twelve year old bungee-jump off the Titan's Tower?!" Robin decided he would give the boy a slow and painful death.
"That's low man, even for you." Cyborg shook his head in disappointment.
Before Robin could get his hands on , who was about to be his former teammate, Raiden got in his way, "Daddy don't, it wasn't Garfield's fault. I kind of egged him on."
"Even so, he was the older one and...!"
Everyone had turned to the two newcomers and replied at the same time, "Garfield?"
"What?" Raiden asked confused.
"Why are you calling him Garfield?" Robin asked.
The young woman blushed, "Well...I thought it was alright. Since we have that kind of relationship now..."
Robin's right eye twitched, "K-Kind of re-relationship...?" Cyborg coughed as he turned the other direction so as to not make eye contact with their team leader.
Beastboy quickly spoke up, "Robin, don't misunderstand her, it's not what you think!"
"Then what is it?" He said coldly as he cracked his knuckles on both hands.
Raiden pouted playfully as she faced BB, "Aw Garfield, how can you say such a thing. And to think that we already had our first date, shame on you."
"Raiden?! Are you trying to get me killed?!" Beastboy cried.
Something snapped inside of Robin, "D-Date?"
Cyborg leaned BB's way and whispered, "If I were you, I'd run...like, right now."
"Excuse me, but aren't we getting a bit off subject here?" Bruce brought everyone back to the situation at hand, "We need to stop Kida and get Raven out, remember."
Raiden brought her hands up to her chest, "Yes...mother."
"Then we must stay focused. Robin, you deal with Beastboy another time." Aqualad suggested.
The team leader sighed, "Just get out of my face, I'll deal with you later, you snake."
BB nodded as he ran to the back of the group. Robin rubbed his temples and tried to calm himself down, focusing on their mission.
"Okay, we should stick together." Cyborg said.
"Good idea, but in what direction are we going?" Aqualad asked as they looked at different paths ahead of them.
Robin felt himself get a bit dizzy as more images flashed in his mind, "That way." He pointed to the pathway that laid straight ahead.
"Are you sure?" Aqualad looked at him unconvinced.
"My dad's right." Raiden spoke up in a serious tone as she took a step. "I can sense my mother's aura coming from that direction."
Aqualad nodded, "Now that I can believe, but how does Robin know?"
"He did the same thing on the surface too." Cyborg commented.
Bruce walked up to his, now mask-less, subordinate, "How do you know these things Dick?"
"I uh..." He looked at his team who all had eyes on him, "I've been having these images pop into my head ever since we reached the docks. But it's weird...because they feel like...like memories, kind of like I've been here before."
"More like Nightwing." Bruce sighed.
"Nightwing? The future form of Robin?" Starfire asked.
"Exactly Star. Apparently Kida ran into him when she was a child. So there's great possibility that she wants to hurt Robin and Bruce." Cyborg summed the villianess' plans up.
Everyone who wasn't up to speed about the motives of the woman became a bit surprised as Star replied, "Why would that woman, ever want to bring harm to Robin or Mister Wayne?"
Robin sighed, "It's a long story, that even I can't explain. Though Bruce's case is staring you dead in the face if he wishes to tell it."
"I rather not, we've wasted enough time already." Bruce took out his utility belt and attached it atop of the one that kept his slacks from falling.
"I agree." Aqualad took a few steps forward.
Robin then nodded in agreement, "Then we'll just worry about the minor details later. For now, let's go and get Raven."
The rest of the team nodded and waited for him to make the first move so they could follow in-step behind him. The pathway leading to the door was a bit longer than what either of them expected, but they were able to make it in less than three minutes. Not knowing what to expect once they entered through, they split up on each side of the large double-doors. On the right rested Robin, Kida and Bruce, while on the left were Aqualad, Cyborg, Starfire and Beastboy. Everyone readied themselves in-case their adversary was awaiting their presence with some kind of trap.
Robin nodded across at Aqualad as a signal for them to go ahead and make their way through the doors. The doors were as heavy as they looked, while the two Titans pushed each one slowly open to form an opening that they could fit through. There wasn't really a need for them to open the doors all the way, as long as Cyborg could fit through, they were alright. Robin poked his head through the opening to see the surroundings of the area that laid behind those doors; all he could see was darkness with a row of columns that started not to far off from entering in. On those columns rested small candles that gave off only enough light to see the marbled path to walk upon.
The team leader turned to the others and then motioned that they were clear to enter, before taking the first few steps inside himself. After him came Aqualad, Raiden, Cyborg, Bruce, Starfire and then finally Beastboy who was hesitant of leaving the door open, so he closed it behind him with an unintentional big "bang". Everyone turned to look his way and he started to sweat as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously mouthing "sorry" to his teammates.
"Great. If she didn't know we were here before, she definitely knows now." Aqualad rolled his eyes.
"All the more so to keep moving." Robin replied as he started walking along the marbled pathway.
The others followed suit once again, behind him as they passed column after column with a dimly lit path; outside that path was just darkness. Robin couldn't help but think of Raven who was in distress, which she hadn't had to experience in awhile; how was she dealing with it? What was going through her mind at this moment, or the moment when she got caught? Was she thinking of him as much as he was thinking of her right now? He had been such an idiot, why did he run away from his problems like that, even though he tried to convince himself that he didn't.
Robin could feel himself clenching his hands into fists as the pace in which he was walking, started to pick up. How could he let these things happen between his friends and teammates? Was he not the leader and had to set the example to them all; to be the level-headed one and to always have the answer to everything? When did his friendship with Aqualad diminish or his relationship with Starfire escalate to a tragic romance and love triangle with Raven? There was no way in so many years to come, that these events would take place if he were the leader he was supposed to be. Maybe he did need to be Nightwing to fix the wrongs that had been done within these last few months.
All of a sudden, more images started clouding his thoughts which caused him to shake his head a few times, though not refraining him from continuing on. He saw columns, quite like the ones that laid on each side of their pathway, and he could see a man who was unfamiliar to him. But, the more the image of that man came and went, Robin started to feel more familiar of who it was, or who it could be. He didn't realize how long they had been walking, but somewhere between the images he got off course of the marbled path. The man in those images seemed to be yelling something his way that he couldn't hear at all; it was like watching a clip that had been put on "mute".
Robin's pace had picked up again and so did the intensity of the images that came to his mind; weapons, another man with a gun and a woman. Not being able to take more, the team leader lost his footing and fell to his knees, hands hitting the ground as well. His eyes had widened and he could feel his body starting to sweat as he felt like he couldn't catch his breath. He could hear his teammates' call out his name some feet behind as if they were looking for him, but couldn't they clearly see where he was? As quick as the feeling and the images hit him, that's as quick as they left; it was as if it didn't happen and Robin's breathing slowed down.
Things were starting to make sense, but it wasn't enough to where he could pinpoint the actions of the one they were to face. Once he finally was able to think straight and get himself together, Robin looked around himself and noticed that he wandered off the path and into a sideline of darkness. He hadn't picked himself off the ground yet, but looked to a faint light that rested behind him, which he figured to be the path with the columns. Before he turned back around to sigh, he heard it...he heard her...
"Please...if anyone can hear this...I need help..."
"Raven..." Robin snapped his head back in the direction that his body was facing. Was Raven using her telekinesis to try and communicate with them? Though he could hear it, the thought seemed so very faint, but he knew if he moved in her direction it'll get louder.
"I...I am weak..."
Robin quickly got to his feet and started to run as he left the calls of the other Titans behind. Some would think that he was running blind in the dark, not knowing where to go or where to look, for the person's distress call was one through thoughts and not verbally.
"I won't...or will not, be able to send out...another..."
In Robin's case, it didn't matter because the person sending out those thoughts was the one and only person that he held a deep connection with. She's seen his hell and he hers, there was nothing that they couldn't get through together and this was one of those things that they were going to add to that list.
"Is anyone there? Of course there's not...at least there's one thing I would like...if no one comes to my aide..."
He took a right as the saddened tone in her voice became relevant and a lot clearer, which almost brought him to tears. Robin didn't need a map, tracker or compass to tell him where he needed to go. The aching in his heart and the hope of her safety was all he needed.
"To Starfire...I'm sorry for our fight...I'm sorry for lying to you...To Aqualad...I'm sorry for bringing your heart pain..."
Robin picked up the pace as he gritted his teeth.
"To Raiden...I'm sorry for not keeping our family together...and to Robin..."
Something snapped inside of him as he suddenly stopped, eyes widened and in shock; he could feel a chill run through his entire being.
"Richard...for pushing you away...forgive me because...I love you..."
"Rachel..."
The woman quickly lifted her head, who's chin had been resting on her chest for what seemed to be hours. Not once did she imagine that she'd be looking into those crystal blue eyes at this point in time, at that moment, in a place like this. But there was no way that she was going to deny that those were the only eyes that she had wanted to see more than anything else in the world. The tears that were already streaming down her face, had been overrun with the new ones her emotions started to produce.
"Rich..."
Before she could get the words out of her mouth, the man standing below her had started breaking the chains that bounded her with his bostaff. Breaking both at the same time, Raven fell as Robin caught her in his arms, cradling her as he lowered them both to the ground with her laying across his lap. He brushed her wavy hair from upon her face and looked down into those amethyst eyes that he missed so much.
A slight smile crept across the woman's face, "You...you came for me?"
"Just shoot me now for taking so long to do so." Robin couldn't even force a smile to form across his face.
"Well...what matters now, is that you're here now..." With the last word spoken from her, barely lifting itself into the air, Robin's lips came into contact with her own. Raven's reaction was as if she had been waiting for it all along as she returned his kiss, arms wrapping around his neck. Passion ran through the both of them as the tears continued to flow down from her eyes and started to flow from his as well. The kiss felt exactly like the one they shared the night of their double date when he had confessed that he was in love with her; feeling more meaningful on account of the events that took place after that first kiss. If only they weren't here, if only they had enough time...if only they didn't act so foolish; could not this moment have been more, could not they just give themselves to one another.
As they finally, but slowly, pulled away from their kiss, Robin rested his forehead on Raven's, "I love you too...Rachel."
"Robin?"
The team leader turned his head around to see Starfire standing a few feet away with the rest coming into view as they made their way over. He tried to read the girl's face, waiting to see if she would snap back into her emotional roller coaster. Though to his surprise, she just cupped her hands behind her back and gave him a soft smile; keeping to the fact that all this, was about getting Raven back and nothing else. Robin returned her soft smile with a slight smile of his own and looked back down at Raven who was now lifting herself up. By this time, the rest of the Titans, Bruce and Raiden, made their way to where the fearless leader ran off to.
"Mother..." Raiden choked out as she ran to both her parents' side and gave the woman a hug.
Raven hugged the girl tight, "It's nice to see you too my little Raiden."
After their hug, Robin and Raiden helped Raven to her feet as they all stood up. "Dude, don't run off by yourself again. You almost gave all of us a heart attack." BB commented as he walked over to the three of them.
"It's nice to see you too Beastboy." Raven forced a smile as her right temple throbbed.
Their green teammate gave her the biggest smile he ever put on, "It's great to see you."
"Raven..."
She looked passed BB and saw the one who called out to her, Aqualad. In an instant, her heart began to hurt, not because she felt guilty or had any regrets, but she could relate to what he might be going through because of her. He slowly walked through the small group and up to her, Robin moving only two steps back and out of his way.
They finally came face to face and Raven gave him a soft smile, "Aqualad."
"Raven I uh..." He started to say, stumbling over his words and outstretching his arms but then pulling them back to him. Aqualad lowered his eyes, not knowing what to do with himself, until he felt someone's arms wrap around his neck embracing him; Raven. At first he was in shock, but calmed down and returned the hug back for about five seconds until they released each-other.
"Thank you." She said and then fell back into line with Robin and Raiden.
Aqualad gave her a soft smile, "Glad to see that you're okay."
"Now well, I wouldn't say that."
A voice echoed through their group as the team looked in every direction of their surroundings to see where it came from. The only ones who have become familiar with the owner of that voice, knew there was no need to search.
"Show yourself Kida!" Robin yelled.
"Oh I wouldn't worry about me at the moment Robin, or should I say...Nightwing." The woman's voice echoed again.
"Kida, whatever it is that you're planning, it won't work. So come on out and put this thing to an end." Bruce spoke out next.
"Like I said, I'm not the one you should be worrying yourselves over at the moment."
"Oh yeah, then who should we be worrying about?" Cyborg mocked.
Within the blink of an eye, the area, or room rather, became illuminated with light causing the uninvited guests to slowly adjust their eyesight. Once being able to clearly see, they noticed the throne-like chair that rested to the left of them some feet away and in it, with their right leg crossed over the left, sat a wicked looking woman. To the left of that chair, the woman's right, stood another woman who was dressed in an all black catsuit, in which the mask had been removed.
The woman situated in the chair held a smirk on her face, "You hadn't told them Raven?"
Everyone quickly turned in the dark goddess' direction as she fidgeted, but Robin was the one who spoke, "Rachel, what's going on?"
"Richard I...she..." Raven suddenly became light-headed as her legs became weak causing her to lose her footing and falling unconscious, but Robin caught her in his arms.
"What's going on? What did you do to...?!" Before he could finish, something strange flashed in his mind as he looked over at Kida; a little girl that held the look of fear on her face. "Kida." He thought to himself remembering a tragic event that took place in her past.
The only one not necessarily concentrating on what was happening, but standing in shock as they looked at the woman seated on the throne, was Raiden. The girl's heart started to beat rapidly as she couldn't come to grips of the fact of the one who was causing her loved ones so much turmoil. When she first saw the woman in her visions, Raiden couldn't really make out who she was, but staring dead at her now, brought everything back.
"Raiden? Everything okay?" Beastboy waved his right hand in front of her face; his comment caught everyone's attention.
The girl bit her bottom lip, "Au...Auntie?"
BB looked down and thought to himself, "Aunt...Auntie?!" He then jerked his head up and looked over at a smirking Kida.
"Hello again, my sweet little Raiden." The woman said with a hint of satisfaction in her voice.
A/N: Hey! Soooo...how did you guys like the new chapter? Did any of you see this coming? Well we're almost there, but not done yet. I would like to thank everyone on their reviews for the last chapter and I encourage you guys to review this one as well. Like I have mentioned before, reviews do give me the motivation to continue writing and update asap lol. Thanks for reading and I'll tune in with you guys next chapter! ^_^