Disclaimer: I own no part of the Teen Titans or their associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N): Well, this one's a little longer but it resolves a lot. This pretty much marks the midpoint.

Chapter 5

Time to Leave

Hunter woke late the next morning. Very late. It was nearly noon by the time he rose from his borrowed bed and stretched. Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror he walked closer and checked the place he could still feel had been shot. A little tightness in those muscles was the only indication anything had happened. Realizing what time it was he decided to forego practice this morning. He headed for the shower, the previous night's events rerunning though his mind. The key point he kept going over was that Raven had saved him from making a horrible mistake.

Raven also woke late, having experienced an unusually restful night. Cyborg had caught her on the way in last night and managed to get a grasp on what had transpired. No doubt the others were talking about it already. A police report would confirm what had happened. She didn't think they would think she had just construed a cover story for what they thought had actually happened last night…but she wouldn't put it past them. Last night's events played through her mind several times as she took a shower and got ready. After constantly fighting to control her emotions it had been strange and a little frightening to see someone, who was helping her control hers, lose control of theirs so spectacularly.

The more she thought about it the more she wondered which of them had responded appropriately. Losing her top like that could cause a lot of destruction…but was it wrong she wasn't more outraged the cowards had attempted to use children as shields?

Robin tore a print off from the computer and read it through quickly. "Hey Cyborg," he called to the metallic titan sitting with Star and Beast Boy at the kitchen table, "Did Raven say anything about Hunter beating up a thug last night?" Cyborg shook his head.

"Naw man. She just said he brought the guy down."

"Looks like he did more than that. Here." He handed the report to the others. "According to this he beat the guy to within an inch of his life. JCMC says he's in the ICU. He's recovering…but he'll be broken for the rest of his life." Starfire glanced over the report and handed it to Cyborg.

"This man…he took…young ones…from their parents?" Robin nodded. "On Tamaran…such a crime is punished through death…by slow torture. The exact method is considered so horrible that no one has even been accused of this action in…what would be similar…a…century?" Cyborg looked a little surprised.

"Sounds like this guy got off easy then." Beast Boy scanned the article as well before handing it back to Robin.

"I told you this guy can't be trusted. He nearly killed someone! We've gotta get him out of here before he does! The city doesn't want a murderer 'protecting' its streets."

"Beat Boy…I know you have some problems with this guy…but I not going to kick him out for something he might do. I'd have to throw you out because you might go all crazy beast, and Cyborg because he might get a virus and take out a building. And if I throw him out then I definitely have to throw Raven out. She's supposed to end the world, remember? Just try to get along with him. If not for my sake then for Raven's. She's been in so much better control since he started helping her."

"No dude, not gonna happen. Raven got to be suspicious when Terra was here, I'm gonna be suspicious now. You want to know about the problem I have with this guy? Okay. He's currently wearing more cow skin than I've seen on any three cows, he's a bigger carnivore than Cyborg, He's spending enough time alone with Raven to brainwash her for all I know…and his name is HUNTER! Face it! We are never gonna get along!"

"Do I really seem that easy to brainwash to you?" The monotone voice stopped him cold. Everyone turned as Raven drifted into the room headed for the stove. Beast Boy spluttered for an answer.

"No! I didn't…I mean…you see…aw…never mind." He threw his hands up in surrender and disgust and walked out of the room headed…elsewhere.

"What's with him?" Raven drifted over to the stove and started water for tea.

"Well," Robin began, "look who finally decided to get up."

"I was out, you know, fighting crime last night. Unlike some people."

"You could have called…"

"Right…and you would have shown up just in time to turn around and go home."

"Speaking of being out last night…have you seen Hunter this morning?"

"No." Her eyes narrowed. "And how are those two related?"

"Well, you've been spending so much time with him I thought you two might have spent a little 'alone' time when you got back." Robin realized provoking her like this was dangerous but the reaction he usually got was worth it. It didn't come this time though. Instead of blazing red her eyes barely even tinted. Her right hand though, did change. Suddenly it was encased in a black steel bracer with three wicked looking claws…or more likely talons curving off in line with her fingers. They were each a good eight inches long.

"Not that it's any of your business, Robin," she spoke through gritted teeth, "but no we didn't." Concentrating for a second the claw disappeared. The others sat speechless, first at what they had just seen and then at the fact nothing had blown up. As Raven turned back to her tea she smiled to herself. She was getting control. Nothing had blown up or even wobbled. Starfire finally broke the eerie silence coming from behind her.

"Friend Raven…" she hesitated, unsure how to continue, "that…what was that?" Raven turned from the cupboard where she had found a packet of tea.

"That was emotion under control Star."

"So this mean…you can feel, yes?"

Raven poured the steaming water into the steeper and mentally started counting off the steep time. "A little Star. I'm not sure yet how far I can go." Without warning Starfire was suddenly hugging her from behind.

"I am so happy for you friend Raven! Now you may truly partake of the pudding of joy!"

"Uh…thanks Star…I think." After a second she added, "Uh, Star…can't breath…" The Tamarainien rapidly released her friend and stepped back.

"Looks like your training with Hunter is paying off. Too back BB isn't here to see it." Cyborg shook his head as he thought about his stubborn friend.

"He'll come around Cy. Just give him time." Robin kicked back in his seat as Starfire sat down next to him. "He'll come around." Raven took a sip of her tea. 'I hope so.'

Hunter entered at that point and looked around. "Morn- Afternoon." He received nods and waves from around the room in response. "Anybody know what's up with Beast Boy? Dude looked at me like he was going to peel my skin off for fun when we passed in the hall." Raven spoke before the others could respond.

"Who knows with Beast Boy. The slightest thing sets him off sometimes." Hunter shrugged accepting this explanation. "So…any word from town boss?" Robin cocked an eyebrow at the title…and shook his head.

"Not yet. Wherever Arkanus is…he's hidden himself very well. Any idea what he might be up to?"

"He was always extremely patient when it came to fighting. He'll wait until he's in a superior position…and then strike." Cyborg was about to speak when the fax machine started chattering away. Robin was on it before what was happening thoroughly registered with the others. He quickly scanned the document and turned to the others.

"JCPD. Apparently those two kidnappers you and Raven dropped last night started talking. Said they were working for some strange Asian guy. He's paying big bucks for children. They also gave an address to deliver them."

"That son of a bitch. Where is it?"

"Warehouse down by the docks."

"We have to go check it out! No telling what he's doing."

"I agree Hunter…but we'll wait for dusk. We may be able to sneak up on them without being seen." Hunter nodded as Robin continued scanning the sheet. "There's something else…the driver said he had been forced to memorize a specific sequence of letters. Looks like gibberish." He read over the passage a couple times before handing it to Hunter. "Make anything of it?" Hunter looked at it several time but couldn't make heads nor tails of it.

"You got me."

"Hmmm…let me try something." Heading to the computer Robin quickly punched in the sequence and set a code breaker program he had received from his former boss to work on it. After several moments the computer beeped and a clear message appeared on screen. "Pretty simple code."

"He wanted us to break it. So much for the element of surprise." Raven spoke form the dishwasher where she was placing her mug.

"You two want to let us in on the secret?"

"Oh…sorry…it says 'Bring the Book Alex.' I assume he means the book you found in your dojo?"

"Yeah. Guess he figured out I have it. I'm the only one who could after all."

"Okay…we'll leave at dusk. Cyborg…find Beast Boy and let him know. Everyone else…get ready. No telling what we might find there." They nodded, each in silent contemplation of what was to come.

Robin knocked tentatively on Starfire's door. The package he held was about a foot cubed and was tied with a green ribbon. He looked around nervously, waiting. After what seemed like hours the doors slid apart revealing the red hared alien. "Friend Robin! What to do come you here for?"

"Uh…" he stuttered as he worked his way through the question. "I brought you a present Star." He held up the box. Her eyes grew wide starring at the package.

"For me? You brought me a…gift?" When he nodded she grabbed the box and hugged it, denting the sides. "Joy! What is it Friend Robin?"

"Well…if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise…" She squealed in delight again. "Come on, open it." He watched her closely to gauge her reaction. She ripped off the bow and tore into the package. After devastating the tissue paper within her hands emerged triumphant with the present. It looked familiar to her. "It's your own helmet Star! I know you don't really need it…but if you're going to ride with me you need to set a good example for the kids…" A massive smile broke out across her face and Robin even thought he saw a small tear at the corner of her eye.

"This means…you do not mind when I join you on your…bike?"

"Mind? Hell no! I enjoy it. You're welcome to ride with me whenever you want Sta-" He was cut off by her bone crushing hug. "I take it you like it?" He gasped.

"Robin…it is the best present I have ever received." A tear of joy did fall down her face. Robin gently brushed it away as she released him a little.

"Glad you like it star. Now…ready to get going?" She plopped the helmet haphazardly on her head and smiled through the visor.

"May I ride with you?"

"Of course."

Four shapes moved quietly through the Jump City night. Side by side the T-car carrying Cyborg and Beast Boy and the R Cycle, carrying Robin and Starfire, blazed down the street, headed for the warehouse. Overhead the winged form of Hunter and cloak clad form of Raven glided silently. The R Cycle tore out of the night and with a pair of muffled blows the two gun toting guards were unconscious and bound. The team assembled in front of the massive wooden doors and waited for Robin's go order. Crouching or focusing as necessary each member nodded to their leader. He motioned for Cyborg to kick the door in. With a grunt the metal man leveled the door with a massive blow. "Titans, GO!" They rushed the building only to stop a dozen feet inside, weapons at the ready.

They were stunned by what they saw. The building was dark save a pool of light in the center of the floor cast by some unseen floodlight. In the center of the light, sitting peacefully with his back to them, was Arkanus. His hat hung over his back and his head rose a bit as they entered.

"Ah…the Teen Titans…I should have known you would bring them. You always were too weak to fight by yourself Alex." Before Hunter could respond to this he rolled on. "You brought the book? What am I saying…of course you did."

"Seeing as I'm the only one left who could have it…"

"Hmmm? Oh…you think I was hunting everyone else down looking for the book? No my dear boy. I always knew you had it. The rest? They were merely a hobby. Something to occupy my time. Now…hand it over." Hunter could feel the rage growing in him with every word. His answer was growled through clenched teeth.

"Never."

"Alex, Alex, Alex…never could do thing the easy way. Fine…have it your way." He pressed a button on the back of his wrist and the team had to cover their eyes as all the lights suddenly came up. When their vision adjusted he was standing facing them. "Behold." He swept a hand backward.

At the far end of the building a cage was suspended above the open water of the ocean by a large steel cable. The cage was made of wire mesh and had several dozen thick power cables running to a large generator attached to the top of the cage. Inside the cage was the most horrible thing imaginable. Several children lay unconscious; hands tied to the bottom of the cage. "Now I knew you wouldn't just hand the book over. I even considered offering you a trade. But I knew that as long as you lived you were a threat to me. Now you see…dropping from that height, combined with the ice cold water will surly wake them up, as would 50,000 volts of electricity coursing through their veins. The effect unfortunately would be short-lived seeing as either hypothermia or system shock would set in rather rapidly. And combined? Well… You see, I had to make absolutely that you would show up and that you would fight me. And that you would keep fighting me even if you were losing. So…one way or the other…this ends tonight. Either I get the book and take over the world…or you win…and I'll spare these children's lives. Deal?"

"You pathetic son of a bitch! You're nothing more than a coward hiding behind children!" Robin spat the words at him. Hunter took several angry steps forward, visibly shaking with rage. His eyes glinted from under his hat.

"You could have asked. There was no need to bring innocents into this! And besides…you can't fight all of us." Arkanus shook his head as if disgusted in a failing pupil.

"Alex, Alex, Alex, don't you think I've thought of that? You see…your new friends are standing on a very sensitive scale. It measures matter…and energy. The second either changes…the explosives blow, the wires charge and the cage plummets to the water below, leaving those poor children in a excruciating pain for all of what will be left of their extremely short lives. Of course…" His face changed very suddenly. "I could do it now." His finger hovered over the controls on his hand.

"…Deal." The buckles on Hunter's coat slipped apart and it fell to the floor, followed by his hat. From an interior pocket of the coat he pulled out a book as it fell. "Robin, toss a birdarang." Hand bound and written on now ragged pages he tossed the manuscript to Raven. Just before she caught it Robin tossed a birdarang away to make up for the weight difference. "You heard the terms." When she nodded he turned back. He stepped up to the slightly raised section of the floor Arkanus stood on. "This ends now."

Drawing out his scepter he bowed very slightly. "I couldn't agree more." Grabbing both ends of the weapon he pulled and the rod stretched until it was at least three feet long. Grasping just below the ball he pulled and drew a razor sharp thin bladed sword. "The Sword of Togawa. Truly a fine instrument. As you'll see up close." He held the sword at the ready and waited. "Shall we?"

Instead of answering Hunter crouched. In a flash of movement he reverse drew both of the blades strapped to his legs and sprang at Arkanus. Steel crashed together, bodies were flurries of motion, the fight raged. Unable to move from their small, contained area the Titans could only watch as fight continued.

Robin couldn't help but be impressed by the incredible display taking place before him. Even Bruce would be hard pressed to take on either of these guys in strictly hand to hand combat. Glancing around he could tell the others were just as impressed. They had other things to worry about though. "Cyborg…can you get a good look at that cage?" The artificial left eye whirred for a moment.

"Yeah…son of a bitch knew what he was doing."

"Any way we can rescue them with out setting this thing off?"

"Not that I can see."

"Okay…anybody else have any ideas?" After a moment the others shook their heads. "Okay…so…plans for what to do if we set this thing off?" Cyborg was still looking over the cage.

"Well…it will definitely fall. None of us are fast enough to stop those charges from firing. And even if we catch it…that still leaves the generator."

"I'm to far away for my powers to do much. I can't catch it in time."

"That's okay Raven. Cyborg? Can you blast the generator?"

"Uh…yeah…no problem."

"Star, you and Beast Boy find a way to save those kids."

"You got it dude. Nobody takes out kids on my watch."

"Yes friend Beast Boy. Not on my timekeeping accessory either."

"Okay…get ready…we have to wait until he's distracted…" The fight raged on. A devastating stroke sent Hunter reeling. Having gained the upper hand Arkanus pressed his advantage. He acted contemptuous as he sheathed the sword and began blasting his opponent with energy bursts from the staff. Power flowed to his blades and Hunter did his best to block the attacks. Dodging blast after blast he suddenly felt an impression in his mind. It was Raven…not a coherent thought…but a feeling… 'Distract him…' They must have come up with a plan. With a shout he charged at Arkanus in a purposefully haphazard attack. He rolled through the dodge and twisted, facing his nemesis. Arkanus's back was to the titans now. He charged another blast, stronger and meant to end the fight right here.

Hunter knew the time to end this had come. He needed Arkanus to stay focused on him. Pouring all his energy in the blades he started forward, rapidly gaining speed. The blades extending down from his fists left trails of light through the air as they swept in time with his feet. Four feet form Arkanus his hands crossed to the opposite sides of his body. Arkanus released the wave burst. With a scream filled with the torment of loss each blade cut a diagonal arc up through the wave, the cross slash destroying it as it formed.

"You're mine!" Hands now spread over his head, Hunter felt the head of the staff bury itself in his chest. Rage gone it was out of justice the blades now swung down.

"So are you." Arkanus stared in shock as each blade entered just inside his collarbone, driving at an angle down through his chest. They crossed each other through his heart and the tips just poked out under his last ribs. Releasing his weapons, each man fell backward, landing hard on the mat. As Hunter fell he saw a sonic blast tear though the air, followed by a red headed alien, a cheetah turning into a large whale, a swinging green and red hero and a half man half machine. The fifth member of the group kneeled over him. "Raven."

"Don't talk…save your strength. I can heal you…" She began to focus her strength. A sudden grasp on her wrist stopped her. He shook his head slowly.

"Not this time."

"But…you'll d-"

"I know. It's okay. Just…promise me one thing Raven…" She nodded, her eyes tearing. "Keep training. Learn control. Do that for me."

"I…I promise…" He nodded, a contented grin spreading across his face. The head of the scepter started glow in the wound, and then the glow spread. It started flowing over his body, encapsulating his limbs.

"Take care of that book. Goodbye Raven." A flash of light made her cover her eyes. When she opened them he was gone. Only the scepter remained. Clouds of black energy began forming around her as a single tear fell to the ground in front of her.

(A/N): Not the greatest action ever written...but eh... If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.