Raven had been flying for hours. She was weary, and the bag she had been carrying seemed to be growing steadily heavier. She had long since passed the city over, heading into the rough scrubland outside of the city.

She had been slowly regretting her choice of leaving as she flew. Beast Boy had been right, she was regretting.

"This was so stupid." Raven muttered slowly, landing lightly on the bare land," But I can't go back.... I can't."

"Oh how right you are." An icy and calm voice called from behind her," You really shouldn't have left. But then again, every cloud has a silver lining."

"Slade," Raven growled. She swung around, facing the intimidating man. He was standing under a hanging rock, shadowing his face.

"Very good guess Raven." Slade said softly. She could almost imagine him smiling sickeningly at her through the mask.

"What do you want?" Raven growled. She dropped her bag, holding her hands ready for a battle, which glowed an ominous black. There were a lot of things to throw at him around, but it might still be nice to have four other people at her back to help her out. 'No,' she thought to herself,' I don't need them.'

"Now, now Raven, this is a friendly visit." Slade countered, stepping a bit closer," I know your predicament. They don't understand you. You don't belong there. You belong somewhere where your powers can be put to a greater use."

"What would you use them for?" Raven growled, not letting her guard down yet.

"You have long wondered if you were meant to be with the Titans. You wondered if you're powers were meant for good. As Trigon's daughter maybe your powers were meant for something more like... what I would do with them." Slade explained.

Raven winced. He had been uncannily correct. She felt like an open book, free for him to read to his whim.

"What would you use me for?" Raven demanded," Would you use me for your own demented purposes, terrifying the city or stealing whatever you felt like?"

Slade seemed to be considering the thoughts, fingering his metal pole lovingly. He chuckled slightly.

"Something like that yes." Slade said, turning and beginning to walk away," But we might need to heighten your expectations. I'm open to it."