Little One, Little Danger
A/N: I know! It's been a year and I am so sorry to all of you who have been waiting on an update! So terribly sorry! But here we are and with another update which will put a few more pieces of this puzzle I created for this story. We left off with Kida showing her "true" colors yet again, everyone finally reuniting and a cliffhanger of Raiden actually knowing Kida, calling her "Auntie" at the end. So let's see what's next shall we! I would also like to thank everyone who's left a review on the last chapter and those you are following and have favorited this fanfic. Thank you so much, I appreciate it! Oh and a treat for you all if you would like a visual of little Raiden when she first showed up at the Titans Tower /d8bgp9p on my deviantart page. Hope you enjoy that!
Chapter 27: Raiden Arella Grayson
7 months ago
Within an abandoned warehouse, an abnormal dance of lights can be seen shining through it's dirt layered windows, some broken and others shattered. Inside lays some technical equipment scattered around the molded wooden floor and hooked to electric sockets that looked like they haven't been used in decades. An iron cot is propped up, situated in a diagonal position as Kida's back rested against the cold metal while she laid upon it. The rhythm of her breathing was rapid as sweat was drenching over her entire being. She seemed to be bounded by thick leather straps connected to the cot, one on each of her wrists.
Sierra stood by a flimsy metal table that she had placed a laptop on, typing away information within it as, she herself, wiped sweat from upon her brow. Upon the 13 inch screen, she looked at an outlined wire figure of Kida's form, highlighting what looked to be thin, almost invisible, wires sticking out from different areas of the woman's body. Before hitting the ENTER key upon her keyboard, she turned to the woman lying down and got a gesture of reassurance to continue on. Kida gave her the okay and Sierra initiated the continuance of the experiment at hand. Not too long after the initiation, Kida let out a piercing wail that took Sierra aback for a second, though it has been happening throughout the process.
They had been working all night and it was finally about to pay off, hopefully within the next hour or so, maybe less. Kida only had to suffer through it a little while longer, sacrificing some of the power she held within herself to achieve her goal. What exactly was that goal, only her and Sierra knew and once the plan was put into action, there was no stopping it. The dance of lights were actually the sparks of energy overcoming both the machinery and the powerful woman as one source collided with the other. Kida's wails died down into grunted murmurs until everything finally came to a stop, for the final time; the first phase was finally finished.
Kida felt like she was losing consciousness as she let the tension in her body ease up; Sierra walked up to where she laid, "How do you feel Kida?"
The woman just looked at her friend as she breathed heavily, trying to compose herself and adjust to the sudden change in her body. But to reassure her of the state she was in, Kida gave her a slight half smile, but she knew Sierra could read right through it. Though the woman only returned the smile with one of her own, to go along with the situation at hand. Kida looked up at the dark ceiling above as Sierra began to unbind her from the straps and remove the wires. She could feel her eyelids getting heavy as her breathing started to finally slow down, inhaling and exhaling until she finally let herself drift off from the world around her.
Several Hours Later
Kida slowly opened her eyes and looked only into darkness which startled her, causing her to jerk up into a sitting position. The sudden movement sent a slight pain to her head, in-which she brought up her right hand to rest upon it. She wondered how long she had been out for and where was she now. Though the thought quickly left her mind when she illuminated a source of light from her left hand; she was in her bedroom. How was that even possible, there was no way Sierra was able to transport her all the way here alone; though the woman has surprised her countless times before.
After the slight pain diminished from her head, Kida carefully and steadily swung her legs to the right side of the bed. Placing her feet on the carpeted floor beneath, she stood herself up and slowly walked out of the room and into the kitchen. She could hear a slight humming coming from the living room as she made her way through her residence, but Kida didn't become cautious. Around the corner of the entrance into the living room, she could see Sierra sitting upon the black leathered loveseat, something resting within the woman's arms as her back faced the direction she stood in.
"Are you finally awake?" Sierra's voice startled her then.
"Uh..yeah. Just a bit…woozy." Kida walked over to her, "Is that…?"
"Shh…", a vein on the right side of Kida's forehead throbbed as Sierra shushed her, "…yes, this is what you figure it to be."
She looked over Sierra's shoulder and peered at what was laying in the arms of her friend. Wrapped in a golden fleece blanket was the most beautiful and mind-boggling thing she's ever seen in all her years. A bundle of flesh that was as smooth as milk and as white as snow with locks darker than the night sky; eyes closed as the steadied breathing indicated a sleeping state. Kida could've shedded tears, and not only for the aura of this being set before her, but because their hard work surprisingly paid off. The experiment was a success, "So is he supposed to be that small?"
She didn't see Sierra roll her eyes, "She, is going to be this size for about a month I believe. This is the growing process that was created within her first six months of life which will calculate to that of a year's time length in her body. Just enough time for you to get her to the age you need her to be, memories and all, so that you can initiate phase two."
Phase two...the most critical stage of the plan she was setting in motion. This first stage was difficult in itself with the combining of two primary genetics to form a living vessel of sorts, through the power within herself. It really was a testing of Kida's strength that went beyond what she ever thought she could expect from her abilities. With this next phase, a lot of preparation would have to be made within the time period that they've set for themselves and it would definitely put more of a tole on her body as well.
Kida kept looking down upon the piece of innocence in Sierra's arms...so innocent and pure, not yet rotten by the world that they lived in, "Can I hold her?" she thought aloud though not really catching the words that came out of her mouth. Sierra looked at her while raising her right eyebrow, but then sighed. She stood up and took a few steps to where she stood right in front of Kida, who just gave off the vibe of nervousness. But she extended her arms out a bit, though when she did a lot of thoughts went through her mind.
Over the years she's had a good hand on her powers when she was in an awakened state, but she could still sense a lack of control when it came to emotions. When this came on, bad things happened to delicate things and probably what could be the most delicate and fragile thing in the world was about to be in her hands. Kida jerked back a little from Sierra who, in an instant, used her hand that she freed for a moment to grasp onto the woman's left wrist. Kida looked at her with worry and concern in her eyes but Sierra just glared at her and she knew why; she asked for it and she couldn't back out or bring any harm to that child. So she took a deep breath and outstretched her arms again and it was then that Sierra slowly passed the baby girl into her arms carefully, trying not to wake her.
At first, Kida just held the child out and away from herself; one hand on the head the other on it's bottom. She could sense Sierra's eye twitching as she scolded her in whispers and situating the child correctly in her arms. Once Kida was holding the child in the right manner, Sierra walked away from the two and plopped herself back down on the loveseat. This gave Kida time to observe up close the life that was created only moments ago. So much more little and fragile than what she was, while the child was in Sierra's arms; she had to admit that she was frightened and excited at the same time and it brought on this new sensation in her that she could never imagine.
Kida stared down into the infants face until she saw it's eyes flutter open to stare up at her. The woman almost freaked but became mesmerized by the amethyst gems that seemed to look into her eyes without any judgment whatsoever. Kida soon smiled softly at the child and unconsciously uttered something, "Raiden..."
"What was that?" Sierra yawned from the loveseat.
"Her name...Raiden Arella Grayson."
{scene jump}
Month 1
The wails of the child echoed throughout the house causing a hellish ringing in Kida's ears. The bags under the young woman's eyes indicated that she hadn't gotten any proper sleep in weeks. Her head was pounding as she held a cell phone up to her right ear, hoping that the person she was trying to call would answer. Kida looked back over at the screaming baby and kept trying to shush her but whatever she was doing only made things worse; she could hear parts of her vanity mirror within her bedroom shatter as her stress-related emotions got the best of her.
"Hello?"
"Sierra!" Kida wailed in relief that her friend finally picked up, "I don't know what to do! Raiden won't stop crying and I tried everything!", her wails started to match that of the child's.
She could hear Sierra sigh on the phone, "Have you checked her diaper to see if she needed to be changed?"
Kida's face cringed, "Don't need to, the kid's pretty smelly alright."
"Then change her! How would you feel if your bottom was just marinating in crap?!"
Kida gagged, "Please don't say things like that."
"She's probably hungry too. Look, give her a nice warm bath in the kitchen sink. Her little tub should be in my bedroom closet. After, put her on a fresh set of clothes and diaper. There's already made bottles in the fridge, all you have to do is boil some water on the stove and set a bottle in there until warmed, not hot. Feed her and then rock her to sleep, she should be fine after that."
Kida looked around for a pen and piece of paper, "Okay wait, let me get a pen."
"Sorry got to go. I have a patient waiting."
"Sierra wait!"
The next thing she heard was the dial tone and sweat dripped down the back of her neck. Kida turned to face a wailing baby Raiden and kept mentally telling herself that she could do this.
{scene jump}
After grabbing the tub from Sierra's closet, Kida situated it in the kitchen sink and filled it up with lukewarm to warm water that was shallow deep. She hurriedly grabbed Raiden and carefully undressed her while wearing a mask that covered her nose and mouth. Kida put the clothes and dirty diaper in a plastic bag and hurled it in the garbage. Raiden still wailed while it took forever for Kida to carefully bathe her. Usually Sierra would do all of this, but she's been having to work more and more lately.
Kida set the water to drain and by this time Raiden's wailing died down, though she seemed to be hiccuping soft cries which made Kida pass a soft smile across her face; the kid was too cute. She picked her up, wrapping her up in a large towel and seating her back on the couch while she set a bottle of milk in a pot of boiling water. Kida grabbed a diaper and a random shirt with shorts to dress the child who was no longer crying. After, she snatched the bottle, check the temperature of the milk and fed Raiden like she always saw Sierra do. It didn't take long for the little bundle of flesh to drink more than half of the bottle and then burp on her own.
Raiden soon fell asleep and Kida just looked at her, exhaustion overcoming her like never before. But the look on the child's face held one of unmatched innocence that couldn't be mistaken for anything else. A soft smile appeared on the young woman's mouth and her cell suddenly rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Kida! So, I can leave in about thirty minutes if you need me."
"No, that's alright. I think I can manage on my own."
"What? Are you sure?"
Kida looked down at the girl in her arms, "Positive."
Month 2
Kida was in the kitchen preparing lunch, wearing an apron with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was on the phone talking with Sierra and had Raiden sitting in a high chair, eating a bowl of dry cereal pieces. Every now and then, she'd give the child a piece of candy from a bag she had sitting on the table.
"No, we'll start the next phase soon enough." Kida sighed as she chopped green onions on the counter.
Raiden was kicking her feet back and forth while she ate the last few pieces of her cereal. Kida looked over at the child and wiped her hands on her apron so she could giver Raiden another piece of candy. The child devoured the sugary goodness and smiled up at Kida who returned the smile back to her while she rustled her hair. The young woman then walked away from her to continue her cooking and Raiden looked over at the bag of candy.
"Mmm...kah...kah-n...dee..." Raiden banged her two little hands on her high chair, "Kah-n..dee.."
"Yes Raiden, candy..." Suddenly Kida stopped what she was doing and looked at the child while Sierra was still rambling on the other end of the phone, "Sierra shhh! Raiden?" Kida ran over to the front of the child's highchair, "Raiden, what did you say?"
Raiden gave her the biggest smile and then clapped her hands together, "Kah-ndee!"
Kida nearly died from excitement, "Yes! Candy! Sierra! Raiden just said candy!"
Kida could hear her friend burst out in excitement and amazement. The young woman gave the girl several more pieces of candy while she clapped and repeatedly yelled "kah-ndee" over and over again giggling.
Month 3
"Come on Raiden, come to Auntie See-See." Sierra held out her arms some feet away from the three month (3 year) old Raiden who was gripping the arm of the couch, standing on her two feet.
In the opposite direction was Kida, "No, no, come to Auntie Kee-Kee."
Raiden looked at Kida and then looked at Sierra before smiling. Sierra stuck her tongue out at Kida and continued to egg-on Raiden to walk over to her. Raiden smiled again at Sierra and yelled, "No!" The woman's face dropped and her heart shattered to pieces. Kida couldn't help bursting into laughter while rolling on the floor.
"Oh shut up." Sierra threw a pillow at Kida.
Raiden then slowly let go of the sofa and stumble-walked herself in Kida's direction. Kida was all for it and cheered the toddler on while Sierra mumbled "traitor" under her breath. Raiden finally stumbled and fell into Kida's arms while the young woman picked her up, swinging her around saying "good girl". Sierra smiled softly at the sight, but it soon faded as the reality of it all hit her. This wasn't going to last much longer and they'll be starting phase 2 soon.
Month 4
It's been two weeks since phase two started and Raiden has been taken to the the lab every other night for the necessary treatments. Phase 2 consisted of brain manipulation and the creating of memories into Raiden's mind along with a parasitic factor that effected the genes she was created with. Which, in turn, would give off an impulse to those (Robin and Raven) who shared the same DNA, to have these memories passed on/implanted when in contact. All this being made possible from the power Kida possessed which took a toll on her body as well. Her and Raiden were hooked up to similar machines that mimicked the one Kida used to create the child. The treatments and procedures were slightly painful for the 4 month (4 year) old but worse for Kida. After each session, the young woman would pass out and Raiden would worry, though Sierra would reassure her of Kida's condition; just like today. After taking the girl to eat something and rest in Kida's bed, Sierra returned to the lab to check on her friend who was just regaining consciousness.
Kida slowly turned, "How's Raiden?"
"She's fine. Resting now. How are you?" Sierra handed the young woman a bottle of water.
"Exhausted but not permanently damaged. Only a month and a half of this to go right…"
"About that…Kida…are you sure this is what you want?"
Kida sighed, "Not this again."
"I'm serious…you know the sacrifices of this treatment…do you really want that?"
"I have no choice…"
"You always have a choice!"
"Why don't you go and get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."
Sierra sighed, "Ok." And then left her friend to be alone like she clearly wanted.
Kida gulped down her bottle of water and stared at the ceiling above her. She clearly knew the only sacrifice that mattered while initiating this treatment and it did pain her heart like she never imagined. But if she was going to make her plan work, there was no room within herself for weakness. The times she spent with the girl ran through her thoughts. Memories…that would soon fade from Raiden and only she would hold alone. Kida felt her chest and throat tighten…she guessed she could let herself cry one final time.
Month 5
Kida and Raiden sat on the floor in the living room and Kida had a stack of photos in-between them both.
"Are you ready Raiden?"
"For what?" The girl cocked her head to the right.
"Well…" Kida picked up the stacks of photos, "…we're going to see how well the treatments have been working."
Raiden frowned slightly, "D-Do we have to?"
"I know it's hard, but it won't take long ok."
"But we have one scheduled for today right?"
"Yes we do, but they've been getting better. This here is just a review. I promise it won't be long ok."
Raiden gave her a slight smile, "Ok."
"Great." Kida smiled back and rummaged through the photos to pick one out, "Ok. Who's this?"
Raiden looked at the picture and thought to herself, "Um…Cyborgy?"
"Correct! This is Cyborg aka Victor Stone. He's also a member of…?"
Raiden thought to herself again, "Uh…the teen…teen…"
"Come on, you can do it."
"Teenage mutant ninja turtles!"
Kida wanted to burst out laughing badly, but she needed the child to focus, "Close, but it's Teen Titans."
Sweat dripped down the 5 month (5 year) old's face, "Oh, yeah."
The two of them went through picture after picture of the titans and other unrelated people until Kida came across the most important two she saved for last.
The young woman held up both pictures at the same time, "Who are these two?"
Something triggered in Raiden's mind as she bit her bottom lip and lowered her eyes,"Raven and Robin…"
"Aka…?"
"Raven Roth and Richard Grayson…"
"Correct. They're also who?"
Raiden didn't want to answer her question, she didn't believe it, no matter what was popping up in her head; she remained silent.
"Raiden, who are they?"
"I-I don't know…"
Kida sighed, "These two are your parents Raiden."
"No…"
"What?"
Raiden could feel herself wanting to cry, "No. They're not my parents."
"Raiden, yes they are."
"No! No they're not! I don't know why you keep wanting me to believe that!"
"Because you'll have to reunite with them soon Raiden."
"I don't want to! I don't need them, I have you and Auntie See-See…you're the only ones I need…" the girl had started crying now.
"You can't Raiden…you can't stay with us…"
"Why not?!"
"Because I'm not your mother! You do not belong to me child!"
Raiden became shocked at her parental guardian's outburst. This caused her to cry more, "I-I hate you…"
Kida's heart dropped, but she couldn't be weak, "Raid…"
"I hate you!" Raiden scattered all the photos that were present and snatched the ones of her supposed parents from Kida and ripped them up.
Kida watched the child throw her tantrum and it pained her heart with every "I hate you!" that the girl repeatedly thrown out of her mouth. After 5 minutes, Raiden plopped herself down and breathed heavily as the tears continued to stream down her face. The little girl tired herself out and started to wipe her tears and running nose on the sleeves of her shirt. All of a sudden she felt arms around her, Kida, who embraced her, asking if she felt better whilst she ran her fingers through the girl's long black hair. This act just made Raiden want to cry some more as she wrapped her tiny arms around the young woman burying her head and body into Kida's torso. Kida let her and just held her close murmuring that everything would be alright until the child fell asleep in her arms…their scheduled session was put off for the first time, for both their sakes.
Month 6
Sierra was dressing Raiden while Kida packed up the little girl's mesh bag. Today was the day that they'd set phase 3 in motion. A few days ago they'd gotten in-touch with a very, easy to handle, Mumbo and proposed an offer he couldn't refuse…clone serum infused within a crystal. The magician didn't ask any questions and was instructed on how and when to use it. All they had to tell him was that it was an opportunity to finish off the Titans once and for all.
The last few treatments Raiden underwent caused her to lose her original memories more than usual. She still knew Kida and Sierraa's names along with the feeling that the two women weren't strangers, but aside from that…nothing. Kida was still getting used to it, but she knew it was for the better.
"Are you ready?" Sierra broke her thoughts.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Kida grabbed the little black mesh bag and headed towards the living room where Raiden sat on the couch.
{scene change}
Sierra, Kida and Raiden pulled up to the pathway of the Titan's Tower. Kida was going to teleport her and Raiden over while Sierra waited in the car. Once the two got out, Sierra exited as well and rushed over to give Raiden one final hug. After her brief goodbye was over, Kida picked the 6 month (6 year) old up in her arms and teleported them both some feet away from the entrance of the tower.
Kida turned the girl to face her, "Are you ready Raiden?"
"A-Are you sure my parents are in there?", the girl lowered her head.
"Yes sweetie, they are."
"B-But…do I have to leave you Kida?"
Kida had to remove the last bit of memories Raiden had of her and Sierra. She dug into the girl's bag and pulled out a black knit cap that she adjusted on the girl's head. "Yes, you have to my little Raiden." Kida squatted down to her height, "…you might not remember me, but do remember that you were loved tremendously."
Raiden nodded her head, "Ok."
Kida smiled as she placed her hand on top of the knit cap and rustled Raiden's head. She stopped her action and passed a slight surge of her energy over the girl, getting rid of the small remnants of her memories; this also caused the child to pass out. Kida held the girl close to her, embracing her for the last time. She'd probably only be unconscious for 5 minutes, so she had to act fast. Kida carried Raiden to the door entrance of the tower and sat the girl up against it. She rubbed the child's hand one more time and gave her a kiss on the side of her head before walking away, never turning to look back.
Present Day
Raiden had fallen to her knees as she had both of her hands pressed against the sides of her head groaning in slight pain. Beastboy had ran over to her trying to help and placed one hand on each of her shoulders. The memories that were forced out of her mind were all rushing back and it felt like an overload of emotions. Her surrounding aura formed in a white tint as her eyes glowed to match the shade. Beastboy was calling out to her but she couldn't hear him or the worried screams of the others who had flared anger against Kida. Suddenly it all stopped…the images, the emotions…everything within her calmed, but the missing pieces had fit themselves into place.
"Raiden?"
She could hear the worry in Beastboy's voice, she turned to look at him and smiled softly, "I'm okay Garfield." Raiden then stood herself up and turned in Kida's direction with a sad expression on her face.
"Do you remember everything?" Kida smirked.
"What are you talking about lady?!" BB yelled out at her.
"Yes."
Everyone turned to look at Raiden confused as to what was going on.
Robin gently placed Raven down and stood up himself, "Remember what?"
Raiden turned to him, "Don't worry about it Daddy, I'll handle it."
Kida chuckled, "My memory swipe might've worn itself off but the treatments are definitely rooted in there. Daddy you say?"
"No matter how I came about, they're still my parents."
"Raiden? What are you both talking about?" Robin placed a hand on the teen's shoulder; she bit her bottom lip as a few tears formed in her eyes.
"I'd be happy to explain." Sierra spoke up grasping everyone's attention while she fed everyone present the background of Raiden's existence in a detailed short summary, but left out sentimental moments. Everything from the girl's creation using a mix of the two DNAs along with Kida's power, the fabricated memories that had a parasitic effect, to the placement of the girl on their doorstep. Everyone couldn't believe the information they were just given and they didn't know if it was true or false.
Robin clutched his right hand into a fist, "Raiden…"
"I'm sorry Daddy.", the teen had started crying.
"Raiden…is my daughter." Raiden quickly looked up at the man who spoke, "She's also Raven's daughter. No matter what you say about her creation, our genes run through her. As for the fake memories that were pushed onto us, they mean nothing. Those fabrications just helped something unimaginable blossom…love. That no one can manipulate or fabricate."
"Daddy…"
Kida smirked, "Well wasn't that touching. Too bad that little speech won't stop the big picture."
"It doesn't, because I'm going to stop you." Raiden walked towards where the woman's throne resided.
"Are you? Little Raiden."
"Stop her from what exactly?" Beastboy stood on the side of Raiden.
Raiden gritted her teeth, "She wants to submerge all remaining land underneath the ocean."
"Kida you can't possibly…"
"Shut it Bruce! There's no stopping this, everything has been set in motion." Kida raised her right hand while the palm, along with her eyes, glowed gold, "I just have to clean up the lingering pests." Suddenly 6 dark balls of energy emerged from her hand, each one landing at the feet of each person present, excluding Raiden and Raven. They each awaited to see what would happen and of course something did. The balls stretched and morphed into a single shadow-like creature outlined in a goldish tint; eight feet in height. The Titans and Bruce readied themselves for a fight while Raiden looked over at a smirking Kida. The teen clenched her fists while her white aura formed around her again; Kida looked her way. Raiden used telepathy while she slowly waked in her previous guardian's direction, "Auntie…why does it have to be this way?"
Kida let her gold aura loose as she levitated, "You know why…"
"Things can be different."
"It's too late. They will all perish."
"I will protect them."
"Then you will share their fate. My little Raiden."
After the last telepathic message, the two Azrathian women flew at each other while Kida's shadows initiated the attack on the unwanted guests.
{scene change}
The Titans and Aqualad were having a difficult time handling the shadows as their attacks seemed to be reflected back at them but with twice the force. Starfire shot star bolts here and there while Cyborg used his cannon, shooting rapidly in every direction. Beastboy turned into different prehistoric reptiles, chomping at any shadowy movement he saw while Aqualad threw punches and kicks. Bruce, having experience with the woman's powers, handled his shadow minion with slight ease, finishing it off with an electric batarang. The creature let out a soft shrill as it went up in smoke; Bruce placed his hands in his pockets as he walked away from the sorry-excuse-for-a-duel.
"I figured you'd be the one that wouldn't go down so easily Batman."
The man turned to find a smirking Sierra who had held two double edged swords in each of her hands. Bruce snickered under his breath as the young woman reminded him of a naive Harley Quinn. Not being too far from one another, the woman got into a running stance as he readied himself for her coming assault. Within a flash the two of them clashed with Bruce blocking her attack with his iron bat-gauntlets that were hidden under the sleeves of his button down shirt. The impact kind of took Sierra aback by a split second before she taunted the dark vigilante, "Nice reflexes, too bad they lacked when it came to making sure Kida stuck around."
"Only fools make assumptions without knowing both sides of the story.", Bruce smirked.
Not too far off, Robin was also handling his shadow goon with slight ease. It didn't take him long to finish it off with an electric surge from his upgraded iron bostaff. Just like Bruce's it let out a slight shrill before disappearing into a thin air of smoke. The Titans' leader looked at his surroundings, watching his team fight yet again for the greater good. Looking up he spotted Kida and Raiden levitating while in fierce combat; their auras flashing brightly with each clash. He could tell that Kida had a slight upper hand, being alot more experienced in, not only her fighting skills, but in controlling her powers.
The two flew pass him and he ran in their direction as Kida easily evaded a blow from Raiden and returned one of her own upon the teen who blocked it with a energy shield The impact was much harder than Raiden expected as she was pushed back a little with her shield flickering slightly. Kida smirked, levitating only a few feet away from her opponent who seemed to be struggling; she knew from the start the outcome of their duel. The woman manipulated her aura into bracers around her lower arms and wrists which would make her hits even more vigorous. Raiden braced herself as she stared the woman down and expanded the cover of her shield. The gold glow in Kida's eyes brightened as she charged towards the teen and unleashed waves upon waves of attacks. Kicks here, punches there, one after the other with each blow stronger than the last. Raiden blocked every one of them but she knew her shield wouldn't last much longer so she needed a plan fast. Though before she could think of something, Kida released a massive blow of energy that shattered Raiden's shield and sent her flying back. Kida teleported behind the girl, stopping her movement as she wrapped her right arm around her neck and pressed her left hand upon the middle of her back.
"Raiden!" Robin shouted.
Raiden didn't realize how exhausted she had become until now as she tried to get out of the grasp of the woman who once raised her. Her resisting only made Kida tighten her grip and Raiden started to feel weaker and weaker by the second as her aura started to die out. Kida was using her left hand upon the teen's back to absorb her power just like she did with the chains that had bonded Raven. Raiden's grasp onto the woman's arm loosened as she could feel herself losing consciousness. Robin readied himself to go and rescue his daughter but something stopped him, causing him to standby.
"I'm sorry that it had to come to this...my little Raiden." Kida spoke into the teen's ear as she was about to finish drain the power out of her, but suddenly stopped. She felt a dark painful sensation on her back that seemed to travel throughout her entire being, which caused her to loosen her grip on Raiden. She felt like her breath had been taken away temporarily along with her ability to move, so her grip on the teen was fully released. Just as Raiden toppled over to decend, Kida was engulfed with an electric shock causing her to let out a shrill of pain; she fell over in the opposite direction of Raiden and descended.
Not too far away, Raven was barely standing on her own two feet with one of her arms outstretched, hand opened in the direction where Kida had been. The woman breathed heavily as she lowered her hand slowly and fell upon her knees, "Never...touch my daughter."
Robin quickly ran over to Raiden who hit the floor only moments before Kida who landed a few feet away. "Raiden? Are you okay?", he lifted the teen to a sitting position.
She came to rather quickly and shook the remaining dizziness from her head, "I'm okay Daddy...just...a little weak."
"Raiden?" The two turned to look to find Beastboy standing a few feet away along with the rest of the Titans, Aqualad and Bruce.
"What's going on?" Robin noticed that the remaining shadows had disappeared.
"Seem like that attack from Raven knocked Kida so bad that her goons disappeared." Cyborg shrugged.
"And her right hand woman wasn't much of a challenge." Bruce pointed his thumb in the direction of an unconscious Sierra; Cyborg just snickered.
All of a sudden the entire building started to shake and everyone tried to keep their footing, though Beastboy is the only one that fell upon his face.
"Ok...what was that?" Aqualad questioned aloud.
Raiden slowly stood up, "It's started..."
Beastboy jumped up, "What's started?! The water drowning the earth apocalypse?!"
A light chuckled echoed throughout the building and everyone turned in the direction it came from. Kida had made her way to a pillar some feet away from their group and propped herself up against it while she rested her head back. "You all had this coming...no need...to fight it."
Suddenly Robin sprinted across the room to where she barely stood and gripped her throat with his hand, "You're going to stop this.", he gritted his teeth.
All Kida did was give him a slight grin, "It's what you deserve Nightwing...after what you did...what you caused..."
Robin shook his head confused and agitated, "What're you talking abo...?!", something then hit him as he looked back at her. A flash of a little girl, a version of the woman he could've sworn he's never seen before. That growing feeling inside him happened for the last time and memories of what seemed to be his, though the older version of himself, of a tragedy that happened years ago. It was strange how his view of Kida changed in an instant, not being a psychopathic villainess, but the little girl that lost her parents in an accident. "Kida...", he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes as the grip he had on her throat loosened, "...I'm so sorry."
His tone and his words hit her hard because he sounded just like the Nightwing she met years ago. Kida tried not to let it show that this effected her, "Don't act like you care! You took them...both of them..."
"I...he...tried to help..."
"You could've stopped it! You should've stopped me..." she choked; Robin looked at her with pity in his eyes.
Everyone standing by didn't have a clue as to what was going on, except for Bruce, who only knew some details of the accident. Robin completely let go of his grip on the woman and backed away from her a few steps, "I know you're hurting, and you've probably have been for so many years...but that wasn't me Kida. That version of me, I can honestly let you know, from being connected to those memories, did everything he could. Accidents happen Kida and I'm sorry for what happened with your parents…it wasn't your fault."
The woman's heart skipped a beat as the memory from when she came to that day after the accident took place flooded her thoughts, "Yes…yes it was…if only…if only I was stronger…"
"You were a child. At the time you hadn't had control over your powers or your emotions like a certain woman I know." He looked over at Raven who had finally stood herself up and joined the others.
"Kida…" Bruce walked up pass Robin and cupped the woman's cheek with his hand, wiping away the tears that had already started to fall, "…Dick's right, you have to stop blaming yourself and innocent people for that accident long ago. You have to move on and be happy, though I know I might've ruined that for you years ago as well by neglecting you. But I had always regretted that day I chose my work over you. At that time too, you were too young to understand what had to be done in Gotham to insure the future it has now." The building suddenly started to shake a second time and stop after a few seconds, "Kida, you have to put a stop to this."
Kida's eyes turned to look at Bruce's, "I can't stop it…"
"Uh…come again?" Beastboy looked confused.
"Bruce…I can't stop it…I'm too weak and have given up on myself a long time ago.", she slid down to the base of the pillar.
"That cannot be true! There has to be a way to prevent the catastrophe." Starfire commented.
"There isn't." Everyone turned to see Sierra standing some distance behind the group, "The devices were made with Kida's power and part of her life force as well. But her life force seems to be fading away along with her will, one of the side effects of the experiments we did up until Raiden was placed on your doorstep."
"That doesn't seem like information that would help us." Cyborg mumbled.
"The best I can do…is hold it off to give you enough time to make it to shelter. A boat, submarine or ship if you have one." Kida spoke still sitting on the floor with her back against the pillar.
"Are you crazy?!" Sierra yelled stomping towards the woman, "And leave you here to die?! You might not care what happens to you, but I do!"
"There has to be another way." Robin thought to himself.
"I can loan you the rest of my power to get the job done. Though Richard might have to carry my unconscious body out." Raven spoke up.
"No Rachel, you've lost enough energy and have been unconscious enough for one day. I will not risk your well-being."
Before Sierra could speak, "It wouldn't work anyway." Everyone turned to look at Raiden, "Auntie made all this happen with her power and herself…only that can suppress it." Raiden looked down at Kida and smiled softly…the woman knew what she meant and it pained her heart just like it did the day she let her go.
"Raiden…"
"Kida…we can do it together."
"Hold on a minute. What would be the consequence of Raiden helping to counteract the unnatural disaster?" Beastboy quickly asked.
Sierra took a deep breath, "Because she was created with some of Kida's life force and the fact that she might have more power running through her, the process would take a greater toll on her." Sierra's heart started to ache, "Worst case scenario is…that she would cease to exist."
Everyone swallowed hard expect Bruce, Robin and Raven who knew that this would be the case, but the two parents' hearts ached just as hard.
"No! There has to be another way. We can all make a run for it andand somehow make our own little island with a population of like ten and…" Beastboy rambled on.
"Garfield…" Raiden cupped his face in her hands and kissed him softly, everyone was taken aback by it, "…it's okay."
Tears started to well up in his eyes, there was nothing more he could say and it was this moment that made it hard for him to do the 'hero' thing and put the best interest of the entire world first. Raiden turned to the rest of the team and made her rounds to give everyone a hug, until she stopped in front of both her parents. It was hard for her and she couldn't hold in her tears as she fell into both of their arms; the three of them held each other tight.
"I love you both." She sobbed.
"We love you too." Robin said.
"You'll always be with us no matter what." Raven added.
Kida watched them as she started to regret setting up the whole charade in the first place. It reminded her of the family she had and could've had if she would've stayed by Bruce's side. She turned to look at him and he did the same, but neither one of them made a move towards the other. The ground started to shake once again and Raiden looked up at her parents and squeezed both of their hands before teleporting to Kida's side. The two nodded to one another and then levitated in the air leaving the others on the ground.
"Be mindful that their powers combining might be a bit dangerous so stay clear!" Sierra shouted over the rumbling of the building finally starting to crack because this time the shaking of the ground didn't stop.
Raiden and Kida's auras appeared and shined brighter than they did during their fight and illuminated almost the entire room they were in. They placed their hands upon one another's to try to set in motion of each of their power to flow through into one. Debris had started to fall and everyone on the ground took cover, but Robin and Raven continued to watch…they needed to. Kida and Raiden's power had to merge and expand to make the task work but they weren't quite there yet. Subconsciously the two closed their eyes as their forheads rested upon one another, "Please forgive me, my little Raiden."
"You never needed to ask…Auntie Ke-Ke."
They both had soft smiles come across their faces as the surge of energy and power flowed through them, finally merging and rushing out into the surrounding area. The force sent some of the Titans flying and the building itself shattered like glass in an instant. All around the world, some continents were already undergoing submersion until the waves of their power hit the device that was causing it. The wave hit like a flash of lightening and all of a sudden, in all the commotion, it was like time stopped.
The Titans were submerged in water after the building shattered, but none of them could move a muscle. Robin was holding Raven who had her face buried into his chest while they both held their breaths. He was looking up and could see Raiden and Kida still levitating in the mass of water that surrounded them, shining like two distant stars that seemed to get brighter and brighter. After a second or so, the light had gotten too bright for him to stare anymore and he closed his eyes to look away.
"Daddy…"
He heard Raiden's voice in his head and he quickly opened his eyes, though just as he did, time started again and he could feel the pressure of the water pass over him and Raven. No longer could he hold his breath, feeling his chest tighten while his heart beat slowed down...beat by beat until he finally let himself drift off into a state of unconsciousness.
A/N: I don't have much to say regarding the end of the chapter, but the finale is up next and I hope you all enjoy it ^_^.