Chapter nine

"Raven!" shouted Beastboy from under some minions. He turned into an elephant and sent them flying. Raven fell from the sky landing in his arms, groggily opening her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, B-beastboy. Please, forgive me." Raven said quietly, as BB laid her on the concrete floor gently.

"Forgive you for what? What's wrong?"

"I didn't want to kill her. She gave me no choice – you have to understand that..."

"Who? Who gave you no choice?" Beastboy said, his eyes searching her face for an answer. Raven had a sudden thought.

"Give me your hand." She said, holding her own out. Beastboy submitted, looking utterly confused. Raven placed the fingertips gently on her chakra. Beastboy felt something shoot through his body as Raven's eyes turned white.

Flashback, at super speed

"I thought you were dead.."

"...you fell for that..."

"Slade and I worked out the plot..."

"...Slade understands me..."

"LETS GO!"

"Gotcha."

"Ow. That looked like it hurt."

"I don't want to hurt you..."

"I'm not going to be the one getting hurt..."

"I'm going to destroy you..."

"I forgive you Terra."

"If I did it over then I wouldn't change a damn thing."

Flashback ends

Beastboy gasped and reeled back, as Raven removed his hand slowly. She sat up, and looked at his shocked face. The pain inside her was indescribable. Why was Terra ruining their lives over and over? How can one person be so cruel?

"I'm so sorry." Raven touched his shoulder gently. He was shaking beneath her palm. She looked down.

"You hate me." Stated Raven slowly, letting her hand drop down onto the floor. Beastboy looked into her lilac eyes, his own emerald ones filled with salty tears.

"I don't hate you. But I just don't understand."

"What? What don't you understand?" Raven asked, putting her arm around his shoulders and snuggling close.

"I don't understand why. Why did she do that? Why did she choose Slade over us? Why is she dead? Why was she so...evil?" he spoke the words from his very soul, as the tears hit the solid ground. Three spots of black on the grey floor. Ravens heart sank deeper. She tightened her grip.

"I don't know why she did what she did. Terra was a very sad person – she had no one to talk to – no one to trust – no friends. But even when we offered her the friendship it wasn't enough. Her soul was just too restless, and Slade satisfied that part of her better than any of the titans could."

She paused for breath, looking up towards the ensuing battle between Robin and Slade.

"I didn't want to kill her, Gar, you have to believe me. She made me do it – she would have killed me if I hadn't have done something." Raven sighed.

"You-you called me Gar." Said Beastboy looking into her eyes. She stared back, the tears rolling silently down her face.

"That's your name, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. I've not heard it in a long time." Beastboy sniffed, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. Raven kissed his cheek.

"I know it hurts. But right now, we have to help Robin. He's up there with Slade, and there is nothing we can do about it, except help him to fight. Terra is...gone. But Slade is the real threat. So let's get him. Let's get him for what he did to that girl. And for what he's done to the Teen Titans."

Beastboy looked at her, seeing her in a different light. It only made his love for her grow stronger. Terra had treated her terribly, and yet Raven showed such compassion for the lost telekinetic – it was heart warming.

"I love you, Raven." Said Beastboy, as he stood up. Raven smiled at him, standing next to him.

"I love you too." She answered. "Now, lets get that bastard."

Beastboy nodded solemnly. He turned into a raven and the real Raven flew next to him, a black aura shot ready in her balled fist. This was going to get messy.

- - -

"Ugghhh..." moaned Robin, rubbing his bruised face. Slade stood with his hands folded behind his back, but his newly calm exterior was rough around the edges. Robin had made his imprint.

"Well done, Robin." Slade said, in his chilling voice. "You will make an excellent new apprentice."

"Not even if you paid me." Robin spat, as he stood up angrily, unfolding his staff.

Slade calmly reached into his pocket and produced his own staff. Robin raised an eyebrow.

'Give me break.' He thought, knowing he hadn't got much strength left.

"Leave him alone." Said a voice from behind him.

"Star..." said Robin quietly, as he saw her pace by his side. Her eyes glowed a ferocious green, and she had a starbolt in her hand.

"I'll second that." Said another voice, approaching his other side. It was Cyborg, plasma gun at the ready.

"I'll third that." Said Beastboy, landing to the right of Starfire, turning into a pissed-off looking lion.

Raven landed silently next to Cyborg, the aura shot still in her fist.

"Count me in."

Slade narrowed his visible eye at the five, and shook his head.

"You are pathetic." He said, rubbing his head slowly. "You need all these losers to fight for you, Robin."

"They aren't losers – they're my friends." Said Robin, furiously. "And they aren't fighting for me. They're fighting with me. That's what you do in a team – you fight together. You fight as one. But you wouldn't understand that Slade. You're all alone."

"I need no friends. And neither will you, Robin. In time, you will see. You will see. But for now..." Slade faltered throwing down a very powerful smoke bomb. The titans were unprepared for the sudden blast and coughed and spluttered till the smog cleared.

"Gone." Said Robin, staring at the space where Slade had stood. It was time to go home.

- - - - -

I just want to point something out. As much as we (Patriot and I) dislike Terra, I personally pity her. So I kind of rectified her actions in this chapter...please don't hurt me...:backs away:

But, I seriously think that the girl was messed up in the head. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think Slade was a big part of that. As for Raven's reactions, I just sort of based them on what I think Rae would have done.

Although Raven is a bit of a question mark, she does show compassion in many occasions and she did think of Terra as a friend...at some point. Anyway, enough ramblings from me.

Replies:

Raven A. Star: Yay, a satisfied reader! There is nothing better than a satisfied reader! And I think that a lil suspense makes all the difference! R/R and thanks as always!

Poopy Penguin: Haha, you make me laugh!! And I hope that you enjoyed the chapter too!

Nethrion: Is that a good thing? I've never seen inuyasha but I've heard good things! Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

MirandaOtto: Hehe, yes Terra is very much dead. She won't be returning to us. And I think Rae was a lil embarrassed not to mention cold!

Warprince2000: Thanks.

10902: Lol, yes you have been a faithful reviewer. I am hoping you like the story! I'm guessing you do cause you keep on reviewing. I LUVS YA! THANKS! Hah, and don't worry, despite my above comment I don't like Terra. Spellbound...haven't seen it yet but I heard about the hug!

Lyzz2nwn: Hehe, well your wish came true...she is dead! And sorry bout the angst. WOW cool bout your costume!! Dark wings are a must BUT my angel outfit didn't have a halo. Good luck with it, and keep reading!!

Cat: I am speechless. Thank you so much, I do try to keep them in character. There is nothing worse than too much OOCness. A little is okay. Anyway, thanks again! And I don't like Terra, that is why she is DEAD!! Mwahahahah!!! R/R!!

Chibi and Patriot