Well, I'm back. Hopefully this chapter will be better…if it isn't, I honestly don't know if I'll continue. I'm sorry for the bad writing, I'm just sorry. Thanks to everyone that reviewed despite this fact…This chapter is dedicated to Umbro Draco, jambey, Furubafun24, Mystyre, Aeris-Raven, raeandrob4eva, and everyone else who has faithfully reviewed and offered encouragement. You guys are awesome, I don't know if I could write without you.
Chica De Los Ojos Café: Thanks…I'm glad you liked it.
The Wings of a Raven:( wah I made you cry…LOL hopefully this will be more of a nail-biting chapter, rather than a crying one…at least that's what I was trying for… -shakes head- Thank you.
SOVEREIGN LORD OF CHAOS: Thank you…but I honestly don't know if I agree. All the same, I thank you for reading and reviewing.
Jambey: Ok…I'll continue…but I don't know what it's been lately…my writing has just been…down hill.:) That is quite heart warming…I'm sorry you were feeling sick. Yes, you're absolutely right…I knew it needed that, I was just trying to build up to it, then kinda lost what I was trying to do. Ok, I won't quit…if you'll keep reviewing. I think your reviews cheer me as much as my updates cheer you…if they do…ugh anyway, thanks. LOL I hate socks…my feet like to be free! Ok…now that you know more than you ever wanted to…
CelticHeiressFiona: Yes, I am for real…I think… -pokes self- Nope, not a hologram. Input Equals: Please tell me that Robin and Raven get out eventually and ALIVE at least! Output Equals: I am not allowed to disclose that information at this time.
Ravenrocs4eva: Thanks!
Tinkerbellx2: Yeah…it just seemed to summarize him almost, that and Breaking the Habit, by Linkin Park…that has always reminded me of him…anyway. Lol, track practice in the snow? That should be fun…well, should have been…it's already happened. Yeah, any excuse to stay home from school is a good one. Thanks for reviewing.
Dark-Magic67: Uh… -scratches back of neck nervously- About that… LOL nah you can cuss about Slade all you want…I will probably join in. Thanks.
Dominic Monaghan is mine: Nah, I'm sure it's my fault…the past few chapters have been screwed up, I apologize…hopefully it will start to make more sense. If you didn't read Aftereffects, that could make this story confusing. Thanks for reviewing.
CloudsHalo: Aw…truly heart warming:)
Majestical: Yeah…plus I always thought of her as being an Evanescence type of person. Glad you liked it.
Aeris-Raven: -blushes, hides face in shame- ok…I'm amazed you even like it…thank you, I…I don't think I'll stop…unless I start sucking even worse…Anyway, thank you so much.
Mystyre: You're a Robin fanatic? SWEET! –giggles like a four year old- He is awesome, huh? LOL…uh, sorry…just seems like there aren't that many Robin fans out there, either that or they all avoid me. Yeah…I suppose…but it still doesn't erase what she did…I just have a hard time with someone that could "kill" their friends…cuz that was before Slade started controlling her…I don't know, I have this thing with betrayal…it makes my skin crawl. I just feel like it just isn't turning out how I wanted…maybe I shouldn't have written a sequel... Thank you, your advice helped enormously! Encouragement is a beautiful thing. Thanks, thanks so much.
Furubafun24: That's what I was trying to do, create a moving and bittersweet moment…hopefully I succeeded. Thank you, that means a lot. Ok, I understand about that…no pressure, but it's an awesome story! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Raven of the night 676: I'm flattered, thank you.
Raeandrob4eva: Thank you, I'm glad you like it. :)
Strixvaria: Glad it was good, glad it was sad, cuz that is what I intended. I honestly don't know…something possessed me to say toodles…don't know how it's spelled.
Umbro Draco: You are absolutely right. That is what the story needs, and hopefully that's what this chapter is. –blushes furiously- Thanks…you helped a lot, you really did. I hope this one is what you were looking for.
Dannonspring: Hmmm…you shall see. LOL nah, he's an absolute retard. He knew he could use Raven, and planned on doing so, but he never thought of using her to get Robin to tell him, partly because he didn't expect the kid to be so capable of resisting the drug. Thanks for reading!
Ok, this is a bit confusing, I apologize. This first part with Mina happened a few days ago, but I didn't want to put it in the last chapter and I couldn't just not mention it, so I stuck it in this one. Sorry for any confusion it may cause.
Mina shivered, folding her arms around herself and staring up at the towering T. There was only one light on, shooting through the darkness like a beacon of hope. So many people had found the answer here; maybe she could find hers.
She made her way towards the tower, completely unaware of the laser beams all around her. She slipped on a wet rock, stumbling forward and crashing into the metal door. Mina winced at the noise, cursing her clumsiness. She raised her fist, and knocked on the metal door.
Well, it was metal, anyway.
"What are you doing here? What do you want?"
Mina flinched, blinking into the sudden flood of light. "I…I need…they…"
"Spit it out!"
Mina stared up at the metal giant as her eyes adjusted to the light. "I need your help."
Cyborg glared at her, then stepped aside, revealing a long hallway leading to a staircase. Mina hesitantly stepped inside, the sound of the door hissing shut behind her sending a shiver down her spine. Living on the streets made you uncomfortable about being shut in, no matter what the circumstances. Starfire, the alien, and Beast Boy, the green one, were just inside the door, tensed as though ready for battle, relaxing slightly when they saw her. Mina smiled encouragingly, knowing that she couldn't possibly look very threatening.
"What do you want?", snapped the half-robot.
Mina took a deep breath to banish the nervous twisting in her stomach. "It's my friend…well he's not really my friend, I don't even know his name, but well…I think he was kidnapped."
Cyborg raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You're gonna have to do better than that if you want help. What does he look like?"
Mina frowned slightly. "Well, he's pretty tall…well, at least tall compared to me. He's got black hair that sort of sticks up all over. He was wearing a black shirt and black pants, and…ok, here's the weird part…a mask, like from a Halloween costume or something." Mina stared around at their stunned faces. "What?"
The one called Starfire took a long shuddering breath. "That sounds an awful lot like…"
"Robin", whispered Beast Boy.
"Robin…isn't he your leader? Traffic light?" She blinked as what they were saying sunk in. "But…he's here with you! …Isn't he?"
Starfire kept her eyes fixed on the ground, while Beast Boy took a step toward her. "You're sure that's what he looked like? What happened? Was he ok when you saw him? Who took him?"
Mina opened her mouth to respond, but Cyborg cut her off. "How many times do I have to tell you guys, Robin is fine! This kid, whoever he is, is not Robin. Stop being ridiculous!"
"But friend Cyborg—"
"No buts, Starfire! Robin is fine, end of story!" He suddenly whirled on Mina, glaring fiercely at her. "Nice try, but you're gonna need a better story to fool us!"
Mina took a step back in surprise. "Huh? What are you—"
"Amazing what you people will do to get a glimpse of the Titans! Well, you ain't getting' and autograph, so get lost!"
"What? No! That's not—"
"Yeah right." Cyborg took her by theshoulders and steered her to the door, sliding it open. "You know, if you keep lying about imaginary people getting 'kidnapped', you might get a lot worse than this next time! Now get out of here!"
Mina stared in shock for a moment, then her eyes narrowed. "You know what? You're right. I was stupid to think you guys would actually help me. I'll find him on my own." She turned and walked away into the cold, dark night, hiding the tell-tale tear slipping down her cheek They had been her last hope.
Slade couldn't help but smile as he shoved the door open. It took a moment or two for his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room. It must be horrible to be in such complete darknessall the time. "I'm glad I thought of it."
He made his way to a far corner of the large space. They were both asleep, Raven's head resting on Robin's chest, her hands tightly held in his. They looked almost peaceful, happy, content. Slade's eye glinted maliciously. "What a shame I have to wake them."
Robin woke to a sharp pain in his side. He blinked, groaning quietly as pain thudded dully in his head. Raven slowly came into focus, her eyes closed, smiling peacefully. He sighed in relief, lifting a heavy hand to brush a strand of violet hair off her forehead.
"So, you've decided to join the living."
His heart froze, dread filling his mind. No…no more. He couldn't take anymore of this. Robin eased Raven's head to the ground, rolled onto his back, and staggered to his feet, coming face to face with Slade.
"Wake her."
He looked suspiciously at the masked man, then returned to the ground beside her. "Raven, wake up", he whispered, gently shaking her. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing the most gorgeous eyes he had ever had the fortune of observing.
"What's wrong? Have they come?"
Slade answered for him. "Oh, no, my dear. It's much worse than that."
Raven tried to stand, momentarily forgetting the chain around her ankle. Robin gently pushed her back down, and turned to face Slade, still kneeling protectively in front of her. "Let her go! This is about me! Let Raven go!"
Slade chuckled quietly. "I'm afraid I just can't do that, Robin. Raven is my most valuable weapon; I would be a fool to give her up."
Robin's eyes widened, his blood freezing in his veins at the word "weapon". "You Will Not Touch Raven!"
Slade laughed even harder. "You see? To love is to become weak, Robin.You would do anything to keep this girl from harm. And…if anything were to happen to her…"
Robin's fist clenched, and he inched closer to Raven. "I am not weak."
"I see. Then I suppose you won't mind if I do this." Before Robin could even blink, Slade lunged forward, kicked him aside, severed Raven's chain, and jerked her to her feet.
Robin stumbled to a semi standing position, rushing towards Slade…but then he saw the gun.
Slade cocked the pistol against her temple. "Now, this gun might not be loaded…Are you willing to take that chance, Robin?"
He couldn't breathe, he couldn't think, this was his worst nightmare, except this time he wasn't sleeping. "D-don't…p-put her down…"
"There is one way to save her, Robin…but I'm sure you are unwilling to do it." His finger pressed down on the trigger.
Robin stared into her horrified eyes…he wanted to scream and thrash and cry. "I'll…I'll do anything…j-just put her down…"
Slade grinned. "Good boy. Now listen carefully, because I am only going to say this once. If you tell me what I need to know, I will let her live. But if you refuse…" He dug the pistol into Raven's temple, making her wince in pain.
"I'll do whatever you say, just…don't hurt Raven." The desperation in his voice would have melted any heart, but unfortunately, Slade didn't have one.
"Excellent. Now, tell me, once and for all, who is Batman?"
Robin froze, his brain going numb. He couldn't…Bruce had made him swear never to tell anyone, much less a known enemy! Slade wasn't just curious…if he knew, he would try to destroy Bruce. What if he succeeded? He couldn't tell…But what about Raven? Slade would killher if he remained silent; Robin knew that beyond the shadow of a doubt. He could not let Raven die…she was his soul, his strength, his purpose.He would die without her. "I…"
"I am growing impatient, Robin."
What to do? Both choices ended in the harm of someone he loved. He couldn't choose, he couldn't!
"5…"
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, his brain throbbed as he franticly searched for a solution. He could lie…but Slade would know. Slade would kill her.
"4…"
He would never betray Batman! He was his father, the only person that had cared about that scrawny, emotionally dead little orphan all those years ago. How could he betray Bruce?
"3…" Slade pressed the gun into Raven's temple.
His breathing was ragged…he loved Raven. He had always loved Raven. He could never live with himself knowing that she had died at his hands.
"2…"
His heart thudded loudly in his ears, Raven's eyes burned into him…
"1." Slade's finger tightened around the trigger…
"Bruce Wayne!" Relief as Slade lowered the gun was immediately replaced with a burning hatred of himself. He had betrayed his own father. "His…his name is Bruce Wayne", Robin whispered, his body drooping in defeat.
Slade relaxed his grip on Raven. "Good, Robin. I knew you would eventually come around."The masked psychopathmoved towards the door.
Raven struggled in his cold iron grip, desperate to free herself from those cruel hands. "Robin!"
Raven's voice startled him out of his trance. "You…you're letting her go. You promised you would let her go if I…if I told you."
Slade glanced over his shoulder with a look that said it all as he continued to drag Raven toward the door. "So gullible, Robin. I never promised anything."
Robin stumbled after him. "You said you would let her go!"
A well-placed kick to the Boy Wonder's leg sent him crashing to the ground. Slade pushed the door open, dragged Raven through it, and turned around for a parting shot. "Sweet dreams."
The door slammed shut after him, echoing in the dark, empty room: the sound of Robin's world crashing down on him. He staggered to the door, jerking the handle in vain. "SLADE! YOU SAID YOU WOULD LET HER GO! SLAAADE!" He slammed his fists against the rusty iron door, pounding again and again until he felt the warm trickle of blood on his hands. It was finally happening. All the pieces were falling apart, like a jigsaw puzzle roughly shoved off the table, each piece hitting the ground with a sound that echoed in his mind. Slade was holding all the cards, and he was left empty, alone, helpless. "To love is to become weak." "Raven." Her name was barely a whisper on his lips. How such a small, simple sound could tear him, rending him in two and gently stitching him back together, wounding him again and again, and leaving him begging for more. The darkness swirled around him, pressing on his eyes, unseen creatures plucking at him, pinching him, laughing in the shadows. Robin crumpled to his knees, his head gripped in his hands, his eyes wide with fear that he could not contain, fear that would surely destroy him. He had to do something or explode, burst into a thousand pieces. "RAVEN!"
There was only silence.
Ok, I really hope that was better…if it wasn't, well… I'm thinking about changing my name again…let me know if that would bother you…I think I'll stick to the new one for a while if I do change it. Until next time… -Dusty