Chapter 2

Robin skidded to halt beside the bodies of his friends, dropping to his knees beside Star to gently prop her up against him. He looked into her face and realized...

"Dolls!" Cyborg spat, holding up the Raven double, "Slade tricked us!"

"Then where are the real Star and Raven?" Beast Boy asked, looking around frantically.

"They are safe." Slade's voice boomed into the theater, "But for how much longer, I cannot guarantee."

The Titans instantly stood, abandoning the dolls as Slade's minions rose from the seats to surround them.

Robin inwardly cursed himself for being so foolish. How could I let myself get so carried away?! Now all my friends are in danger, and it's my fault!

Pushing the thoughts away, he focused completely on the trouble at hand.

"Titans- Go!"

OOOOO

Beast Boy was making a quadruple chocolate, fudge, marshmallow sundae. Raven sat nearby on one of the couches, reading her newest book. Robin and Cyborg squabbled over who was the better Game-Stationer. Star let out a little laugh from her position on the stool near the counter as Beast Boy added a cherry to the top of his monstrous sundae. "Star? Starfire! Star, wake up!"

"Star! Are you okay?" Raven's voice broke into her mind and she shifted slightly, beginning to wake fully.

"I am not severely damaged." Star managed, taking in her surroundings.

They were tied together, back to back. Coils of chain surrounded their wrists, holding their hands above their heads. They hung suspended perhaps a few dozen feet off the floor. Their legs were tied together as well.

"At least you're awake. I was worried-" Raven abruptly broke off.

"You were worried about me?" Star inquired quietly.

"Of course!" Raven said gruffly, "I was afraid you were hurt or, or..."

Star remained silent so long Raven became worried.

"Star? Are you all right? Look, I'm sorry I was mean to you earlier. I just- "

"It is all right my friend, all is forgiven."

OOOOO

"Don't move." Slade's voice broke into Robin's thoughts. He looked to the balconies above to see Slade, holding a small remote control in his outstretched hand.

"Where are they!?" Beast Boy demanded furiously, "What did you do with our friends?!"

"Right... here." Slade pressed a button on the remote, opening a hatch in the floor about the center of the theater. Through it dropped...

"Star! Raven!" Robin yelled, his cried joined by that of the other Titans. Their heads down, they hung a few feet off the floor. Both of them looked up at the sound of their friends.

"I knew they would come..." Star whispered to Raven. And, although Star couldn't see it, Raven smiled slightly in return.

"Now." Slade's commanding voice broke through the silence. "You Titans are in more trouble then you think." He pressed the second button on the control and the floor of the theater split, revealing the crashing surf below. The water spilled into the theater, filling it slowly.

"No!" If they didn't get to the girls in time they would drown! With an angry growl, Robin pulled out his hook and shot it toward the balcony Slade was on. Swinging himself up, he struck at Slade, desperate to get the remote from him.

Beast Boy transformed himself into a rhinoceros and began charging around the stage, clearing it of Slade's minions, which had begun to attack the moment Robin had moved.

"What can we do?" Satrfire asked Raven anxiously as she watched the battle through widened eyes.

"I don't know..." Raven muttered. "I'm so tired... My powers are completely worn out. I can't even concentrate..."

"It's up to me then..." Star mummered. Her hands began to glow a light green, gently spreading to begin melting the chains that held them. "Hold on... I almost got them..."

"Wait! Star! Hold on!" Raven's warning came too late as the chains snapped and both Titans plunged into the frigid water below.

Star nearly lost her starbolt as the freezing water began to freeze her body. Concentrate! She commanded herself, reaching down to begin melting the chains at their feet. Her lungs burning, she finally managed to break through the chain binding their feet. Breathe! Her body demanded as darkness consumed her. Her last thought before she passed out was: Raven!

OOOOO

Raven watched anxiously as Star melted through the last of the chain. She kicked up to the surface, gasping as her aching lungs took in the relatively fresh air.

"Star! You did it! Starfire?" She looked around frantically, hoping to see her friend surface...

"No!" she gasped, diving back beneath the surface of the water. She caught a glimpse of red hair and darted around to see Star, floating abnormally still near the bottom.

No! Raven's mind shrieked as she dived down to retrieve her friend. She grabbed Starfire under her arms, kicking herself to the surface. But she was so tired... I can't give up! She continued to kick, her strokes becoming more and more feeble. I can't let her go... I can't... She saved me...