Honestly, couldn't wait to update this, and since we have Monday off, thought I would write the next chapter. Sorry about Shadow Creature, I'm rewriting and trying to decide some critical stuff, so it could very well take quite a while to update.

Strixvaria: Glad it was good, sorry it was sad.

Shadow Creature: Ok…I'm glad it made sense to you. Yeah it sounded good…glad you could find something worth-while in my random thoughts…otherwise known as fan fiction.

Aeris-Raven: Yeah I agree with you on that. Rae/Rob is pretty much the only Titan pairing that I can swallow, with the exception of Furubafun24's awesome story Never Alone, which is a Star/Rob. Nope, she is a normal kid, just like Robin. See how tricksy I am? LOL well if it's entertaining, I shall oblige. By the way, I finally heard Anywhere, by Evanescence…that song is so dang cool! You're right, it does fit…totally sounds like our love birds.

Lady briallen: Thanks:) I'm really glad you liked it…it was quite a sad chapter, wasn't it? Yeah…things are getting worse, but you can't really expect anything else from him what with everything he went through.

Liljimmyurine: LOL amazingly enough, I never realized it could be taken that way. Duh to me. An interesting possibility though…

Jambey: Sweet! She really is an ok character, truly. You mean we don't get to play with the poison darts? Dang! Yeah, I kinda wanted to show that she felt guilty for what happened with Robin leaving, and Robin obviously felt the worst about her voting against him, because, as you said, even though he doesn't love her that way, she is still what he considered his best friend, so it was particularly painful for him. You will find out very soon. I'm afraid that it's all Robin now, Slade has nothing to do with his nightmares or tormented mind, except for the minor detail that what he did to Robin caused all of it…what I mean is, there are no chemicals or nanoscopic probes to blame this time. At the moment, the fever is causing his hallucinations. Hmm…it's possible. LOL no prob, I like long reviews!

Majestical: LOL yes, do. Yeah, the Middle Ages were great, except for the lack of technology and absolutely horrid quality of life…the pretty dresses were cool, though :)

CloudsHalo: Yeah, terrible isn't it? Cool, now I don't feel so…repetitive for bringing him back to life, because he never died! Thanks for that tidbit, and if you can think of any other helpful comic book facts, send 'em my way! Thanks:) Lol Hey Larry…was there any spit involved in that "YAAY"?

AnnFaithDarknessGoddess: Sweet, you're back! Yeah…I just got the idea and figured I'd act on it. Thank you:) Yeah, that amazingly enough made me feel depressed too…I'm glad you like it!

Tinkerbellx2: I couldn't agree with you more, but I get a lot of crap for liking a cartoon character, believe me! Some people just don't understand…Yeah, Slade sucks, but we all have to admit, he's pretty darn cool, as an evil twisted psycho. Yeah it is kinda like that, isn't it? Lucky you. All we get is President's Day off, then straight back to the grinding stone. LOL a tall tinkerbell? Is there such a thing? How tall are you anyway?

Mystyre: ..-Sweat drops- Hehehe…yeah…I'd hate to mess up…Lol nah you don't sound like an idiot. Thanks so much, you ROCK! Yeah, Robin is just so "I always have to win and save everyone and come out of it in tip-top shape to boot!" that he almost needs a bit of failure to realize that he is not invincible, so he can give himself a break! Oh, cool. What's your character's name? What's she like? Let me know when you put you're story up, I'll definitely come check it out!

Chica De Los Ojos Café: LOL sweet, glad you changed your mind! –starts humming that annoying Lindsay Lohan song…- LOL! Yeah, I'd have to agree with you there. Thanks for reading!

Dark-Magic67: 1) actually, looks like Robin is going to get to Raven, but not in the way you're thinking of.

2) Robin will not die from the fever.

3) They want Robin.

4) They might come around, but it will most likely take a while.

5) Well…just read on, you will see.

6) Well, in my opinion he has devilish qualities, but technically, no he is not a devil. LOL nah Raven is not crazy.

7) Mina is already falling for Bird Boy, and well…the rest is just too far away to give away yet.

8) LOL yeah, I also have time on my hands…and sometimes I make time that I really don't have.

-bows- thank you, thank you:)

Furubafun24: Yeah, the fever is definitely not helping things either. LOL sweet, I've dragged you into the twisted plot! THE PHAAAAAAANTOM OF THE OPERA IS THERE, INSIDE YOUR MIND! Er…sorry just saw the movie. LOL funny, I like to sort of describe situations in a different light, comparing things like a person to a soda machine, for example. Glad you like it ;) LOL go at it, I don't mind…actually, no! I wouldn't want a friend of mine anywhere near Slade because, no offense, but he could…would…most likely win. Stay Away From Slade!

The Wings of a Raven: Yes, of course I remember you! Nah I would never hurt you. 80 your mind is worse than Robin's? Whoa…that's pretty bad. LOL! Actually Robin will find Raven, but I don't think you will like me any better when that happens.

Umbro Draco: Sweet! I'm glad you're back! Thanks, I'm glad you like it:) Thankyou for reviewing!

Dannonspring: Robin is actually going to go to Raven…I'm glad you like it!

Ok then, on with the story!

-

"Now, Raven, you can make this difficult, or you can make this easy."

"Y-You're dead…You're not…you can't be-"

"Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily? I will not leave until I get what I want."

Raven's eyes glowed white, but, having no clue where her enemy was, there wasn't much she could do.

"Interesting. I see you have plenty of fight left. But what of Robin?"

"Shut up!", she yelled. "Shut up about him!"

"Is it really that bad? I suppose I expected more of him. No matter, it changes nothing."

"If you're so interested in Robin, what are you coming to me for?" Raven was doing her best to control her emotions, and the effort needed was making her body shake uncontrollably.

"Always so precise, always so impatient. Trust me, you will find out soon enough. If you think I need you to find him, I'm afraid you are mistaken. He will be mine, whether you help me or not, but if you want the opportunity to say your goodbyes, I suggest you come with me."

Raven's eyes widened as she felt him behind her. She whipped around, her fist shooting out, only to be caught in his iron grip.

Slade sighed, squeezing her wrist even harder. "You're making this difficult. I wish you wouldn't force me to get rough with you. I hate to harm such a pretty young lady."

(Yes, unfortunately Slade is not dead…thanks to the tip from CloudsHalo, I now know that he can never die…what a shame…sorry to all of you who wanted to be rid of the masked lunatic…Trust me, I don't like him much either…thanks to this story, I can't be in the dark without being freaked out…stupid isn't it, being afraid of a made up villain? Ok, sorry to slow you down.)

Raven glared at him, her stomach turning in disgust. She was very glad for the glove between her skin and his. "Dream on, psycho!", she hissed, not caring that it was a very dangerous thing to say in this position.

Slade, far from being upset, laughed in her face, distracting her as he slipped his free hand into his utility belt, extracting what looked like a small pair of handcuffs. Before Raven could do anything, her delicate white wrists were imprisoned in metal.

Raven scoffed. "You seriously think that can stop me?"

"I don't know, can it?"

Raven rolled her eyes, readied herself, and chanted, "Azarath Metrion ZINTHOS!"

… "AZARATH METRION ZINTHOS!"

Slade chuckled, watching her with a malicious glint in his eye.

"My powers…"

"Yes, so sorry, but I couldn't have them getting in the way of things. Time to go." Slade took her arm and pulled her deeper into the shadows.

-

The snow melted the second it touched his forehead, and she couldn't even be sure if it had helped at all. He was thrashing and screaming so violently that she could hardly get near him. She felt so helpless, so powerless… A lone tear streaked its way down her cheek to fall on dusty floorboards.

Mina sometimes boasted that she couldn't remember the last time she had cried, but that was a lie. That day, ten years, six months, and two weeks ago, was as vivid now as it had been then.

"But I don't want to go in there."

"Oh, Mina, don't be such a baby. It's just a little visit. I promise I'll be back in a few hours."

"Promise?" She stared up at her mother with her small, innocent, trusting face.

"I said it, didn't I? Now go on, make some new friends, and don't be rude. I'll see you in a little while."

Mina nodded bravely, but as she watched her mother walk farther and farther away, her courage evaporated. "Wait! Wait, Mama! I don't want to stay anymore!" She ran as fast as her short legs would carry her, but her mother ran too. "Mama, let me go with you! I want to go with you!"

Her little shoe snagged on the cement, and she fell forward, her head smacking the concrete. She started to cry, tears mixing with the dirt on her cheeks as she watched her mother turn the corner through blurred eyes. Blood trickled down the side of her face, her wispy blonde hair whipping in the autumn breeze. She was not coming back.

Mina wiped her eyes fiercely, but the tears kept coming. He was lost, too. He had been rejected, turned out, unwanted, just like her. A sob escaped her as she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him and burying her head in his chest, the tears falling on his already soaked shirt. She cried for herself, she cried for him, and she cried for what could have been.

-

Boris froze, eyes narrowed, breath still in his chest, ears perked for the slightest noise. He might be an idiot when it came to proper English, but he was top-notch in his job. He was a hunter, cold and heartless, no mercy for his prey. Besides, he had a score to settle. He lifted his wrist to his mouth, speaking quietly into his whisper-sensitive communication device. "I heard something over here. Sending coordinates."

Within seconds, his team was beside him, awaiting further instruction. Boris grinned. Now that Mathews was out of the way, he was in charge, and loving every second of it. He instantly sobered however, keeping his eyes locked on the warehouse door. There was definitely something in there, and he would have bet his position that it wasn't a rat. Boris moved with surprising stealth for one of his bulk, until he was right up against the door, once again listening for movement inside the building.

Scuffling, sharp, uneven breathing, a moan…

Signaling his men, Boris rested his hand on the doorknob, silently counting to three…He threw open the door, one of his men shining a flashlight into the dark room.

The girl stared blearily into the light, a doe-in-the-headlights look on her young face. Street trash, nothing more. And then he saw him. A black heap lying next to the girl, which he took to be a pile of rags…until it moaned. Boris glanced behind him, and his men revved into action. The girl screamed as two thugs grabbed her by the arms and yanked her to her feet.

"Should we take her, boss?"

Boris shook his head. "He just wants the punk. Tie her up over there."

The girl screamed and struggled, looking like a rag doll sandwiched between the two musclemen. She was a minor distraction, but he was in a good mood today. The anticipation of settling an old battle usually did that to him.

Andrew Boris turned on his heel, savoring the moment. In the blink of an eye, he was crouching next to the boy, forcing his head up. The punk's breathing was ragged and his body radiated heat like a small wood burning stove. What a shame. He had been looking forward to a struggle.

He hoisted Robin over his shoulder with ease; the kid was practically skin and bones. He sighed, shaking his large, bald head. Why in the world Slade wanted this scrawny adolescent was beyond him, but his job wasn't to think. Slade commanded, Boris obeyed. Period.

"That's enough", he grunted, seeing that his men were getting a little overzealous with the girl's bindings. "We don't want to keep him waiting."

That statement was enough to get them moving. Slade was not a patient man.

-

"What do you want with me? What do you want with him?" Raven struggled against the handcuffs, but succeeded only in causing herself pain. They fit perfectly,no doubt especiallymade for her. "Why couldn't you just stay dead?", she whispered.

Slade chuckled. "Stay dead? I was never dead in the first place. Robin was quite arrogant to think that one small explosion could do away with his worst enemy. I walked away without a scratch, which could hardly be said for him. But then, I suppose he never believed me dead, did he?"

Raven growled, hatred consuming her. The fact that this man could speak so casually about what he did to Robin only proved him to be even more of a monster than she had believed possible. He had not only broken Robin's body, but his mind and spirit as well. Slade had stolen Robin from her, crushing the life they could have had together under his steel boot. Raven didn't even know half of what Slade did to the Boy Wonder, but what she did know was enough to make her stomach heave. And now he was back for more. "If you touch him…if you lay one finger on him, I swear I won't rest until I'vebeaten you to a bloody pulp!"

Slade smiled behind his mask. "Rage and scream all you want, Raven. Without your powers, you can feel as much as you like."

Raven gasped, realizing that it was true. Anger this powerful was more than enough to release Trigon's influence in her mind, but nothing had happened. A sick sensation settled in the pit of her stomach as she realized for the first time exactly how helpless she was. What could she do without her powers?

"Now, about your little boyfriend." Slade smirked as she glared, already knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that they had feelings for each other. He loved it when his victims allowed themselves to get tangled up in the meaningless manifestations of raging hormones. It was the idealweapon. "You know perfectly well what I want with him, and you are going to help me get it."

Slade had merely confirmed her suspicions. "No."

He fought back frustration. He was tired of dealing with stubborn teenagers, always eager to argue and contradict, so ungrateful. Unfortunately for him, the world belonged to the youth of that generation, and there was no getting around it. "You will do it, whether you like it or not. You are hardly in a position to be giving out orders."

Raven opened her mouth to snap back at him, but she froze as someone pounded three times on the door.

"Talk of the devil", hissed Slade as he made his way to the door, half concealed in shadow. The hulking figure of a man appeared on the threshold, something limp and black draped carelessly over his massive shoulder.

The breath caught in her chest, and she found herself franticly praying that the limp form was not Robin, even though she knew it was. She could never be near him without knowing it; she could pick him out in a crowd of a thousand look-alikes. It was his soul, she could always feel his soul.

"What did you do to him?"

Boris gulped, stuttering slightly under Slade's angry glare. "W-we found him like this. Didn't lay a finger on him." "But I sure as heck wanted to", he added to himself.

Slade looked straight into his eyes, freezing his blood as he searched them. "Fine. Your services are no longer needed." In other words, get out of my sight.

Boris lowered Robin to the ground, not bothering to keep his head from hitting the concrete. With one last glance, Boris left.

A deafening silence reigned as Slade stared intensely at Robin. He was in worse shape than Slade had expected, and he felt almost disappointed. Robin had a lot to learn, and Slade would make sure he learned it. "Your boyfriend looks a little ill, Raven."

Her heart jumped into her throat as emotion coursed through her. She wanted more than anything to be at his side right now, but the cruel chain around her ankle prevented it. All she could do was watch in agony and horror.

Slade crouched next to the boy, turning him over for examination. In seconds, the mask was off and tossed away, revealing half-closed, unfocused, and glazed eyes. Slade could feel the heat of his body even through his gloves. He took Robin's limp wrist, placing his thumb at its base. The pulse was extremely fast, pumping wildly against his finger. The boy was shivering, breathing in short gasps and shifting back and forth, restless. Running his hands over Robin's head, Slade felt two or three raised lumps, and a gash here and there. He felt almost angry at the teen for arriving in such horrendous condition. This was no fun at all.

"No matter. This makes things much easier." With that, Slade pressed a button on his wrist. Instantly, a drone stepped from the shadows, grabbing Robin by the arms and dragging him towards the door.

"No!", Raven cried, struggling against the chain holding her back. "Robin! Robin, you're going to be fine! Just hold on, ok? Everything will be all right!" She tried desperately to give him some courage for whatever lay in wait for him, and prayed for the strength to save him somehow.

"He can't hear you. The fever sent his brain into shock. You might as well save your breath."

"ROBIN!" Raven watched, completely helpless, as Robin was dragged through the door and out of sight. "If you do anything to him-"

"Empty threats, Raven. But rest assured, I have no intension of killing him. He has far too much potential. What I want is what I have always wanted, simple and precise: an apprentice. But not just any apprentice, Terra taught me that. No, I want Robin, and I will not stop until I have Robin, mind, body, and soul. However, such a great goal must be accomplished in small steps. Those steps have been carried out, one by one, each successful in its own way. Just a little farther, Raven, and he will be mine."

-

Well, there you go. The next few chapters will most likely be quite a roller coaster ride, and I will try to update soon, so as not to keep you waiting. As always, I ask merely that you click that friendly little button and write a word or two of advice, praise, criticism, or even a flat out flame. All is accepted, but, if youintend to flame me, would you at least try to avoid cussing at me? That just seems to put me in a bad mood. Thank you, once again.

-Dusty