Fallen Darkly

K.Blacre

Fallen

He rode fast and hard through the night. Gotham wasn't that far away. Something inside him didn't feel right. A darkness was creeping over him and the other Titans. It wasn't something that could be identified but it had something to do with Raven. He didn't know why but the Titans didn't feel like friends anymore. The fingers of the dark city stretched before him, kissing the star-specked, night sky. His head suddenly jerked back. His body went limp some. The bike spun out from under him, his body rolling with it for a while before he stopped on the pavement and the rain began to fall.

Cyborg had been under the hood of the T-car when the lights went out. He saw perfectly well and that's what shattered it. He looked into the side of the car and saw his flesh and metallic reflection staring back at him. He screamed and threw the tool box across the room. He punched into the car, kicking it, punching the wall and throwing everything in sight. He fell to the floor, holding a mirror in front of his face.

"Robin's right. I'm not human. I am just a machine." He dropped the mirror, reached behind his back, and shut his system down, his limbs going limp as his head slumped down.

Beast Boy looked up as the lights went out. Tears had been streaming down his face. He rose from his bed and walked out of his room. Starfire was walking out of Raven's room, a vacant expression on her face. His brows furrowed. He walked to Starfire and took her hands, looking into her eyes.

"What's wrong?" She looked at him, tears streaming her face. He looked into Raven's room, saw the mess, and Szephyn on his knees in the middle of it.

"Raven has gone." She said.

"Where?"

"We do not know."

"Maybe Cyborg knows. Why don't you go get him." She nodded and went toward the elevator. Beast Boy went inside Raven's room and saw the entire mess. Everything had been destroyed. Szephyn looked up as his ears twitched at the sound of Beast Boy's entrance. His face was dry but hurt and pain filled his eyes. Beast Boy looked away but couldn't shake the feeling. Szephyn was in love with Raven.

Starfire walked cautiously into the darkened room. A glimmer of light caught her eye. It was propped up against a wall but was slumped forward.

"Cyborg!" She ran to him and got down before him, tipping his head up. His face was blank, nearly lifeless. She looked on his back to see the plate that covered his wires opened. "Oh, no." She fixed it best she could then closed it. His red eye flickered and he looked at her.

"Why'd you do that!? I didn't want to be back!"

"But, you are my friend. I could not leave you like that. Is Raven here?"

"Why would she be down here?"

"I do not know. Her room is torn to shreds and she is not there." Cyborg's expression grew confused.

"She's not in her room?"

"No. Come, you must help me look for her!" She pulled him up and they began searching through the tower for her.

Robin's eyes slowly opened. He looked around to find a room that seemed familiar. He was in dry clothes and satin blankets lay around him. A door opened and an aged man walked in with a silver tray and a bowl and cup on the tray. Robin squinted.

"Alfred?" The man smiled.

"Good to see you again, Master Dick." He said, putting the tray on the table next to the bed. Robin sat up, pushing the blankets down.

"I haven't heard that name for some time." Robin said. "What am I doing here?"

"Master Bruce found you in the rain and brought you home before you caught sick."

"Bruce?" Robin said.

"Yes." A deep voice said. A tall, dark man in a suit walked in, his black hair slicked back, piercing blue eyes stabbing into Robin's memory. His voice caught in his throat. "Good to see you again, too, Dick."

"I can't believe I'm here."

"From the looks of it, you were coming here anyway, right?"

"I was coming back to the city, not necesarily here."

"Right. And what about the Teen Titans? Won't they miss you?" Robin looked down, averting his eyes from Bruce, Batman, his mentor.

"No. They don't need me." Bruce sighed and rubbed his chin.

"That's all, Alfred. Thanks." Alfred nodded his head and left the room. "Is there a particular reason they won't need you?"

"No. I just decided that they don't so I came back."

"Is this one of your usual pride things?" Robin's head came up fast, looking at Bruce thoroughly.

"Don't try to assume you know shit about me! You don't!"

"I didn't. Look, sometimes things happen. If the Titans are truly your friends, then you'll stay with them." Robin jumped from the bed and walked to the blacony window, looking out as the rain pitter-pattered on the glass. "I can't help you with this. Only you can. Just think about what I said." He walked out of the room, closing the doors behind him. Robin looked down, then turned. His clothes were on a chair. He sighed and walked to them.

Bruce looked out the window as the R-cycle and Robin sped back toward Jump City. He couldn't help but smile.

Author's Note: I noticed that Raven was not present in this chapter. I'll get back to her shortly. Also, as a side note, I couldn't help but put Bruce Wayne in there. He's my favorite superhero. Anyway, I hoped you like this chapter. Also, if you have any questions about this cahpter (specifically when Robin saw Alfred and Bruce) just ask. I'll be glad to answer them. Anyway, thank you guys sooooooooooo much for your reviews! They mean sooooooooo much to me!