Chapter 8: Negative Reactions and Bad Timing

(One hour Later)

Raven entered the warehouse carefully and left the door turned for a quick get away.

"Father?" Raven asked as she looked around, "father where are you?" she demanded, "Slade!" she cried suddenly then heard the crash of something near by.

"Who's there?" Raven shouted angrily as her eyes glowed white and she looked around, "show yourself!"

Suddenly a rat scurried past her. She looked closely in the direction of the crash and saw several old crates on the ground broken into pieces as dust rose from it.

That's too big for a rat. Someone is here. (Raven's thoughts)

"Come out and I might not harm you," Raven said seriously, "show yourself!" she shrieked.

"It was you," Starfire snarled suddenly from her hiding place, "you hit me with crates and allowed bad man Slade to get away from us," she continued, "you allowed him to harm our leader and companion of friendship," she pointed out, "what has he done to Robin?" she demanded.

"I don't know!" Raven cried, "and Starfire I…" she started to say as she came closer to Starfire's location.

"Don't try to explain betraying associate of Slade!" Starfire exploded as she rose into the air and Raven saw her, "you not only tricked us but are also his offspring!"

"But I stayed faithful to the Titans!" Raven defended herself, "I never went over to my father's side," she added.

"But you knocked me into unconsciousness when I was going to catch him," Starfire pointed out, "you let him get away to cause bad injury to Robin."

"That was never my intention!" Raven cried furiously, "I tried to stop him!" she shouted, "you can ask Robin," she added.

"How do I know that you were not doing the act of pretending?" Starfire demanded, "you could be doing the untruth right now," she pointed out.

"I'm not," Raven told her, "if we ever had a friendship you would believe me," she said seriously.

"I…" Starfire said but stopped, "will not be tricked twice by you, associate of bad man Slade," she stated angrily as she readied to attack Raven.

Suddenly there was an explosion and Starfire had to dive as a section of the stairs above her fell. She looked at Raven in shock but Raven's eyes were glowing red as she snarled at Starfire. Just as suddenly as it happened Raven's eyes went back to normal in time to see Starfire's face contorted in anger.

"You (just) purposely tried to commit the act of murder!" Starfire cried in fury, "you are not my companion in friendship!"

"You know that I have problems controlling my powers," Raven reminded her, "especially when I get angry," she added.

"I don't believe you!" Starfire cried as she neared tears.

"What do you mean?" Raven demanded, "you know my problems with my powers," she continued, "you know about all the meditation that I have to do to control it," she stated, "you know ME Starfire."

"No I do not!" Starfire shouted defiantly, "I didn't know that you'd really EVER help bad man Slade and lie to us," she listed, "you are not our friend," she stated, "you are my enemy!" she cried and attacked Raven.

Raven shielded herself from Starfire's onslaught of star bolts. She quickly used her power to send several boxes after Starfire who was able to dodge them and then punched Raven straight in the face.

Raven flew across the room and crashed into a wall, making a huge whole as debris fell on top of her. Suddenly Raven rose out of it. Her eyes were red and she growled as she rose several feet into the air. She said her magic words several times amidst shouts of 'I'm going to kill you' and soon the whole place started to shake. Then she disappeared.

Raven stood outside the building and soon turned back to normal.

Starfire! (Raven's thoughts)

Raven gasped and rushed back into the factory. She looked around and soon found Starfire tied down on the ground unconscious. She picked up Starfire and made it out of the factory moments before it came crashing to the ground then exploded.

Raven moved away from the wreckage and set Starfire down. Starfire was tied firmly with twisted metal rods and looked rather beaten up. Raven looked down at her with tired eyes.

Look what I've done. The others will be so mad at me. I have to tell them the truth. Tell it to them now so that they can forgive me sooner. What other logical thing can result. I didn't mean to harm Starfire or have Robin kidnapped. They have to forgive me and we can repair our friendship and trust after I bring everything in the open. If it went otherwise it would be illogical and heart wrenching. Don't think about that Raven. They are your friends and they will forgive you. They have to. (Raven's thoughts)

Raven removed the rods and carried an unconscious Starfire back to the tower.

(Meanwhile at the Infirmary)

"Gizmo," Robin said suddenly, "I need to go to the tower now," he said as Gizmo looked at him in shock.

"Did you just talk," Gizmo almost stuttered and Robin nodded, "but Slade isn't back yet…"

"Slade isn't here?" Robin asked in surprise but his voice was becoming raspy again, "where is he?" he asked.

"He's out," Gizmo said abruptly, "with someone," he added.

"Terra," Robin confirmed, "isn't he a bit OLD for her?"

"I'm not with him!" Gizmo cried incredulously, "I mean, I don't know what she sees in him," he told Robin.

"Take me to the tower," Robin said as he rose to his feet.

"Are you sure?" Gizmo asked.

"How often will Slade be gone after today?" Robin asked seriously.

"Good point," Gizmo responded, "Terra wants to spend most; if not all, of the time with Slade here," he revealed, "don't know what she sees in this place," he continued, "all I know is that it's less creepier than Slade," he added.

"A lot less," Robin said seriously.

"I'll take you through the secret underground tunnel," Gizmo stated, "it'll take you to main-street and you'll be able to find your way from there?" he said formally, "what will you do for transportation?"

"I'll contact Cyborg," Robin responded, "he'll pick me up in his ride and carry me the rest of the way," he said, "thank you Gizmo," he added suddenly.

"What!" Gizmo cried in surprise, "Oh, uh your welcome," he said still a bit taken aback.

"Let's go," Robin said formally, "and do you have some…?" he started to ask as he pointed at the hospital gown.

"Jinx bought a set of clothes for you," Gizmo interrupted, "ask her why?" he added to

Robin's wondering expression.

"Whatever," Robin responded, "I just want to hurry back to the tower," he said, "I just have the sudden urgent need to be there."

End Chapter 8

Reggae: I'll update soon. Review.