Chapter 9
Slade pulled out his machete, examining it. There was a small stain of blood on it, and he liked it there. He knew that it would come to this. He had a vision a long time ago that told him so. He had no qualms killing Raven, except for the fact that she could not be used against the Titans. For once in his life as Slade the Terminator, he felt that there could have been a true apprentice in Raven. Slade had many more regrets, many that he kept to himself. He had a family once…
But those days were over. He had recently had a transmission from Robin, he had a lead on Raven's location. He smiled under his mask. They all wear masks, he thought to himself. It's only a matter of time before they all shatter…
"Welcome to my world…" Terra said.
"This place is desolate," Raven said quietly. "How do you live like this?"
"I barely do," Terra replied. "When I first arrived, I thought I would go insane. I think I already have, you know? I just want to get out of here…No one to talk to, no friends…it gets pretty lonely here. I just want to be alive again. Not this cheap half-life. I just want to live or die, not do something in between."
"I…know what you mean."
"How do you?" Terra said, suddenly taking offense.
"I mean I know what it's like to be in between. You've been like that before."
"Don't mention that." Terra said darkly.
Raven felt true sympathy for this girl, lulled into becoming Slade's willing slave, his pawn in his master game. And now she was stuck in this half-life, guilty of nothing but trying to live.
"I'm sorry."
"What?"
"Life can be hard, I know that for sure. But believe me, it's worth living."
Terra nodded, then spoke up.
"Why are you here?"
"Because…of a mistake. My body took over my mind."
"Er…what?"
Raven began to explain, and the more she did, the more the pain gradually melted away. She felt soothed, happy that she had someone to carry these memories with her. And she finished.
"That's why I'm here. The world's about to end, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it."
Terra stared for several seconds, then smiled sadly. "There is a way out."
Robin stalked across the city. It was about midnight, and he needed to find her.
"When there's trouble you know who to call…" sang a voice.
"Raven?" Robin called. He saw a figure in robes standing on a rooftop near by.
"From their tower they can see it all…"
Robin swung across the buildings and at last landed on the rooftop Raven was on.
"When there's evil on the attack…"
"Raven?" Robin asked, carefully walking towards her. Her singing voice was beautiful.
"You can rest knowing they've got your back…"
"Are you alright…?"
"'Cause when the world is losing all control…"
Raven's head twisted around, her eyes glowing red. Robin flew towards Raven, and landed in her arms.
"Raven…" Robin whispered in pain. "Wh-what are you doing?"
"Teen Titans," she sang as she snapped Robin's back.
End of Chapter 9
