Flickering Shadows

By: Pakkrat

Chapter 5: They were brothers?

Disclaimer: Hiya! Neither Teen Titans/Aqua Teen Hunger Force/ Yogi Bear/ Power Puff Girls/ Or anything else of another show belongs to me!

Note: It has been some time since I did a chapter for this fic, sorry about the wait. Now, if you can PLEASE read my fic "Too Much Red" it is finished, has 13 chapters (Lucky Number!) and the most original characters/plots/action I have ever written, high quality all the way! Also, it is the main reason yours truly has not updated, it took a LOT of time and work.

…Titans Tower…

Robin was up early, making his way through the halls to the gym he sees someone leave Raven's room, "Raven?" the figure turns and smiles, "Oh… Pakkrat."

Pakkrat, in his white garbs smiles with a sweat, "Morning, I was trying to find a collection of materials for research!" his tone gave his uneasy worry, Robin glares to the books, "What kinds of books are these?"

Pakkrat blushes, "Magic, and historical books. I figured perhaps they could answer some questions as I used magic to track my other self."

Robin glares on this, he was still skeptical… but, "Okay, I guess it's alright." He looks at the door to Raven's room as Pakkrat walks off, "Raven… I failed…"

Pakkrat goes to the room once owned by Terra, he snarls his lips as he tosses the books on the ground, "Pakkurath… you changed the rules!" he kicks several books, "This was a game, not some witch-hunt! Just because Raven ripped off your damn arm in our dimension…" Pakkrat grabs his head, rubbing his temples he sighs, "Calm yourself Pakka old boy… he's just being stubborn…" Pakkrat… or rather Pakka, looks to the books and smirks, "As long as those kids don't find out who we REALLY are, all is well."

…The Hideout…

Raven awoke with a smile, the comfy bed was much better than she truly ever expected. Raven looks at the room, still kind of foggy headed from her sleep Raven idly stands to have her legs, and arms ache. The injuries were now more from Slade's training, how she is ever going to heal if… "Wait…" Raven glares, he got her walking, but injuring her only furthered her stay. The bastard wants her here, duh! Whatever his plans are he needs her here longer. Raven narrows her eyes staring to the wall, ignoring the pain Raven stands tall, her one hand clenched in a fist she says "I won't be trapped here!"

Raven makes a slow march to the door, gripping the knob she growls, "See ya later… Slade."

The door swings open on Raven making her fall back on her tailbone, Wintergreen walks in blinking, "What happened? Did you have a nightmare and fall out of bed?"

"I'm LIVING the nightmare!" she growls lowly, Wintergreen places something to the side helping Raven into the bed. Raven looks at the clothes Wintergreen had grabbed, "What are they for?"

Wintergreen nods, "The master took the liberty of gathering your measurements when he fixed your back. He wished for you to have a better set of clothing than before." Wintergreen leaves the nicely folded clothing, seeming to be a sort of scarlet red, and leaves saying "I will return to escort you to the dining hall, where the master is awaiting your company." Wintergreen closes the door slowly.

Raven looks at the clothes, remembering the time she caught Slade's eye curving along her body; he was mentally noting her measurements. Raven smirks, the guy was very smooth in his dealings. Raven simply shrugs, she really could not get away… besides she was hungry, and breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

…Titans Tower…

Cyborg is sitting at his computer when Beast Boy comes over, "Hey Cy? Can I use the computer?" Cyborg narrows his eyes to the changeling, "The other one is broken."

Cyborg smirks, "Oh, broken? Looks like a job for me!" Cyborg jumps up and runs over to his toolkit. Cyborg leaves the room and Beast Boy grins as he jumps onto the computer, Cyborg screams "Don't you touch my computer!"

Beast Boy glares before touching the computer, "Uh-oh…" he grins "Guess I may as well make the crime worth the time!"

Beast Boy turns the computer on, and after a little finagling he enters one of those chat room dealies…

(TheGreenMachine79 Has Logged On)

TheGreenMachine79: Hey, Sup?

GreenPeppermintButtercup: Sup?

TheGreenMachine79: Buttercup! Hey, how's the fams?

GreenPeppermintButtercup: Good, Dad is SO upset.

TheGreenMachine79: OO Why?

GreenPeppermintButtercup: Don't know car trouble.

(Zorakfreak2765 Has Logged On)

Zorakfreak2765: Hey! Any sexay ladies on today?

GreenPeppermintButtercup: EW!

TheGreenMacine79? Fry-man? Sup with you?

Zorakfreak2765: Sorry, my mentally challenged room-mate was on my computer. What's happening today?

TheGreenMachine79:GPB is all upset, dad's car has trouble.

GreenPeppermintButtercup: Yeah, dad said some guy in a black trench did something, to the gas tank.

Zorakfreak2765: Black trench? Sounds familiar, what's the guy's name?

GreenPeppermintButtercup: Dunno, something around Ratvac, er something.

Beast Boy blinks, he gulps as he asks…

TheGreenMachine79:You mean Pakkrat?

GreenPeppermintButtercup: Oh! Yeah! You know him?

...The Hideout…

Raven was sort of shocked with the outfit. No, it was not something weird looking like before but actually something nice. The shirt was a long sleeved red shirt with the bottom stretching down in a skirt to the upper thigh. Raven was a little surprised; he even bought women's shoes and stockings for her. Raven made her way following Wintergreen to another room, this hall was a surprisingly warmer kind of marble setting, where as her old room and halls were of gratings and metal pipes. Still black and orange in strobe lights and other illumination Raven found this late change in scenery very relaxing, almost actually welcoming.

Raven took a step to the two doors of wooden design with Slade's emblem while Wintergreen stood to one door readying to open it for Raven. "Are you ready madam?"

Raven was not sure why she was now becoming nervous, the new clothes, or maybe the changes in scenery. She took a swallow from her throat before nodding, the door opens and she walks into a room with paintings, lavish murals and columns, and more surprising a long elegant table with the finest wooden design. Raven then looks over to the figure at the other end, his large form showing through the darker side of the room Slade smiles, and Raven sees the smile, because, he was not wearing his mask.

…Titans Tower…

Beast Boy runs out screaming "Dudes! Listen, I've got some big news!"

Robin sits at the table reading the news, looking for Pakkrat E, "Not now, I have important detective work."

Cyborg looks up from his football game, "Hey, look who it is!" he taps the seat next to him, "Room for one more!"

Starfire was cooking the morning meal while Pakkrat G was not there. "NO!" Beast Boy surprises Robin pulling away his paper, "I know where that Pakkrat guys is hiding! My friends online met him!"

Robin blinks, "Seriously? Where are they?"

Beast Boy grins as the door rings, "Right here!"

…The Hideout…

Raven sat sighing, the second she saw his mouth she figured something wondrous happened; instead, the prick just wore a bandana with holes over the upper point of his head. 'Must be easier than holding his mask and eating at the same time.' Raven mused slightly angrily, which shows through a candle in the middle of the table moving slightly off to the side. Slade raises a brow to this, "Well, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

Raven looks up, seeing his strong chin with a small pattern of facial hair trimmed well on the tip gave Raven the definite impression the guy was older, but really how much? Hell, they didn't know for sure Slade wasn't just some young guy let alone an old guy… well, till now. Raven sits straight noticing his eye was lying upon her, making a skim of her face trying to anticipate her actions. The blue fabric tied back behind his head made Slade look like some kind of pirate, why Raven was not sure, hell, she didn't know why thinking pirate made Raven think about those romance novels she read from Starfire where the girl meets the gentlemanly thief of the seas… those so… attractive… "Raven?" Raven's eyes pop, Slade has a glass of juice to his lips with his brow still raised, "Was our session yesterday too taxing?" he sips and lays the glass smiling, "Must have been a terrible strain on that young mind."

Raven glares now slightly annoyed with that, "No Slade I am just fine." She takes to her meal, a platter of toast, bacon, sliced fruits, and something along the line of a rice meal, "My mind is just wandering."

"Wandering?" Slade grins in a way bringing Raven a slight flush, his smirk was so self-assured, "Was it a wander over my visage perhaps?" Raven looks to her food eating hurriedly and Slade just sighs over her inept denial, "Raven, many have pondered my face for years. I don't allow anyone to see it unless they prove truly worthy."

Raven lowers her utensil with her face in something of a scowl, "Look, just because I was wondering how handsome you were doesn't mean you can act all uppity with me!" She clangs her utensil adding "Quite frankly you probably aren't that handsome to begin with."

Slade gleefully lays down his utensil, cupping his hands under his chin Slade asks "You were wondering on my handsomeness? What an honor in itself." Slade sees her eyes batting at him then the food, "My dear, the fact I hide my face from you should not put you in such at-ease, is there something else bothering you?"

Raven looks to Slade, "Yes, the fact YOU'RE being nice all of a sudden, why?"

"You proved worthy Raven." So simply he added, "If you did not hold up to my training I would have simply moved on with ridding myself of you." Raven snaps her head up; she knew what he meant, "Killing you, not necessarily but something more around offering the titans a valued member for a valued sum."

Raven grips her drink and sips it, after a nice sized drink Slade took time to watch the liquid play on her lips, surprisingly hypnotic were those simply allusive curves in speech and snide remark seeing her use them for something else of a defense mechanism became relaxing. The day she was here, Slade realized she had strong, violent walls of defensive nature. Still, he knew little to none on this titan which was why never before did he try to find her as an apprentice. Knowing what few secrets Slade did, he figured his task was easier but hell; she only became more a pain in the ass after the Trigon episodes. Slade thinks on a moment, and grins a sinister if not devilish scheming smile, "Raven," she looks over with drink still to her mouth, "Most do not spend meals snidely conversing remarks of negative meanings, how about we talk on more… historical matters."

"Historical?" Raven raised her right brow as she lowered her drink, "You mean our pasts? Why?"

"Call it curiosity, or perhaps a need of change to our paced insults to injury." Slade snaps his fingers, "By the way, yesterday in the training room you made for an excellent performance I had to work nearly double my reflexive responses to keep up with the drones."

Raven blushes from the compliment, "Oh, thanks…" Raven looks at Slade for a moment before asking "What do you need to know?"

Slade shakes his head no, "I need to know nothing, what I want to know," Slade leers his eye on Raven, "What was life on Azarath like?"

…Titans Tower…

The titans except Beast Boy stare at their strange company, a floating, talking set of fries, a giant milkshake, and one large meat ball. Robin clears his throat, "Um, what is going on?"

Frylock was about to say something as a large mechanical man/duck thing walks out, rolling a large fog across the room, "Eons ago, in a dimension parallel to your own." Frylock snaps "Aw hell no! We don't need you explaining this!"

The robot man/duck turns to Frylock, "But… I am the Ghost Of Christmas Past, Present, and Future." Frylock glares, "Oh, and what exactly does this all have to do with Christmas?"

The Ghost Of Christmas Past says, "Well… nothing, but I still know the story behind the story!" he turns back to the titans, "Besides, I set the mood for long winded stories."

Beast Boy grins, "Hey, I think the whole fog thing was dramatic." The Ghost nods saying "Thank you green imp boy, now," the fogs roll out again… ready for the ranting?

"And so, eons ago, in a dimension parallel to our own there were a team of super heroes, called, the Teen Titans." Robin blinks, "But, we're the Tee-."

The Ghost stomps over asking "Oh, I'm sorry was it YOU who was telling the story? Gee, I thought since MY lips were moving, and fog was spewing forth it was MY story, but if this is your story, then tell it!" Robin sweats as the group and ghost look on him, The Ghost narrows his eyes, "Well, where's the story that you know… that wasn't about you."

Robin coughs, "Um… I don't know the story."

"OH!" The Ghost slaps himself on the head in mock, "Gee, wonder why that is Wonder Boy? Because I am the story teller here, not you, so let me, ME tell the story!" The Ghost takes a step back and clears his throat, "Let's see…" The fogs roll out again, "The Teen Titans in this dimension," The Ghost narrows his eyes on Robin, "Not your titans but another titans Robin." The Ghost goes again in his rant, "Were put in an epic battle against the demonic being known as Akaige, and his evil minions. One such henchman was the creature called Pakkurath, and had amazing magical ability. This being was designed as an immortal creature of balance, having both a good and an evil essence. However, Akaige knew such a creature would be too difficult to rely upon in matters such as war so he designed his creation to become a different form of balance, dark balance." Cyborg jumps up, "Hey, can I get some chips? This sounds like it might get a little long."

The Ghost looks at Cyborg, "Oh, sure. I like Sour Onion, if you have any." The other titans blink as Cyborg goes to get some chips. The Ghost sighs, "So… how about them Steelers? A pretty good season they have going."

Shake waddles over to Starfire, "Hey, so how old are you?" Starfire looks up and blinks, "I am 16." Shake snaps his fingers, "Damn it! Every freaking time… oh well, if a judge asks you said you were 18." Robin narrows his eyes bonking Shake with his staff, "Ow! Don't be playa hatin!"

Cyborg returns, "I got Sour Onion, Barbecue, and Regular." Meatwad rolls over, "Mm, I love me some barbecue." Cyborg looks down and gags dropping the open barbecue bag, "Oh don't worry. I like my chips like that, gives them some extra tang." Meatwad starts shoveling in chips as Robin asks, "Beast Boy, where did you find these guys?"

Beast Boy shrugs, "Internet." The Ghost eats some chips and screams "Okay! Ready?" the fogs roll out again, "The dark balance soon enveloped the light balance, evil shrouded good. The being called Pakkurath was lost to his dark nature and in a battle with Raven he soon was able to match her in magic. However, the dark balance immortal Pakkurath has an age old weakness, human pain."

Starfire is slurping a mustard smoothie, "Pardon me, but what is human pain? If he is an immortal that would be very… unfamiliar."

Shake whispers, "Hey, this straw, best mustard you could ever…" a Bo staff hits his face, "Ouchies!"

The Ghost turns back to the story, "As I was trying to explain… The transformation to an immortal of demonic magical ability left the one Pakkurath with no tolerance to devices of man or physical pain. An example would be punches and kicks, along with bows and arrows. The pain is enough to make the demon Pakkurath reel in absolute horror. Raven, learning the weakness pounds her enemy with her fists and objects until she crushes him under rubble. This caused his main distinguishing feature, he has only one arm. Pakkurath has grown in power since said time, but does not have the ability to withstand such physical torture alone. Soon after the battle, Pakkurath's other half, the balance of good soon emerged making to be the immortal creation of man's technological mind. Since both were merely mental creations given form by the magic of Akaige, Pakkurath took the form of demonic magic, as Pakkarath took the form of humanities technology. The two dividing parts of man and demon their creations."

Robin asks, "So? What does this have to do with us?"

The Ghost is silent, looking on the group he shrugs, "How the hell would I know? I just do what I'm paid to do." The Ghost walks off and the titans sigh sloping their shoulders. Frylock screams "I paid you to tell the whole story idiot!" Frylock looks to the others, "Anyway, after the battle was over Akaige lost and Pakkarath and Pakkurath severed ties with the old demon god. The problem is they became… well, immortality leaves people with a lot of free time so they made a game where they possessed human hosts and kind of play on a world's balance. One trying to push evil balance as the other tries to commit to the good balance. However, one of them went against the rules and now all hell is breaking loose. We have to stop them."

Robin sighs, "Great idea, but who are they?"

A blue aura strikes the heroes, walking out into the room Pakkrat G, the good one, holding a strange right arm launcher with blue sizzling barrels grins, "I thought you were the detective kid." Pakkarath walks over to the door, "Now that the game has been altered I must fulfill my obligation. The rules may be altered but still the same. I must find… why am I telling you this?"

Robin looks in a scowl, "How…could you?"

Pakkarath sighs, "I do not like fighting heroes no more than you, yet if he wins it will be like admitting he's better than me!" Pakkarath pouts, "And since he's a big-poo-head I can't let that happen! You understand, even you are competitive by nature! My brother and I merely hold mortal games for the amount of time we must." Pakkarath walks out the door adding, "Consider it the curse of being immortal." Then gripping a map he unfolds it showing a glowing horned rat, "Also, you must thank Raven… oh, she was killed… a pity."

…The Hideout…

Raven has shifted uneasily with this kind of question, Azarath was one of several topics this girl did not like to admit to. "I don't want to talk about Azarath."

Slade notices her face, something in a mix of shame and pain, "Really? You seem to want to say something." Slade gets her eyes now looking cruelly on him, "What? It's all over your face. You want to talk about it, don't you?"

Raven keeps her glare, "No, I don't. That is not a topic up for discussion Slade!"

Slade gets the feeling she wants to say something on it, but years upon years make her so defensive and shut-down, 'Truth be told, any sane man would have stopped pushing… but, I'm not a very sane man.' Slade grins standing and making a small stride to Raven with hands at his tailbone, "Are you afraid?"

Raven looks up; noticing the distance slowly being hindered she pushes out her chair and stands as well, "No." Slade glares his eye in a slight leer, "Are you afraid, Raven?" she went to answer but he continued, his voice making a sort of soul-crushing demand, "Have you ever let anyone know Raven, the pain in your heart? The burden of your soul? Has the years been all but kind, all, but loving?" Raven now hindered in her own defiance makes for a charge to the doors, she was loosing her nerve, and Slade knew now, now he strikes!

Launching forward Slade pushes the door shut, Raven pulls at it but physically Slade more than out did her. Raven closes her eyes, tears stream her cheeks and all the platters on the table begin moving off the sides and collapsing and crushing to the floor, "Stop… please…"

Slade sees her eyes meet his, such sadness he was honestly tempted to stop, but he also knew if she never, ever meets to her pain truthfully it would haunt her always. He, of all people knew this as true. Like the shadows in his dead eye, they flicker constant in his mind. Slade in some twisted way knew making her relinquish the pain would not only free her, but actually grow their bond if any was apparent. "No." his voice did not falter; her eyes and knees did as she collapsed to the door. Slade now demands like before, "What happened, Raven, what happened with Azarath?"

…The streets…

Pakkarath walks into an alley instantly knowing it was a bad idea, with all the rats turning at his presence. Pakkarath smirks, "So, like a rat you hide in the filth, brother?"

The shadow looms forth and glares black shades on his brother, "Pakkarath, you rat-bastard!"

Pakkarath grins, "Pakkurath, it takes a rat to smell a rat."

Pakku sighs, and grins, "Perhaps, so what may I ask is the humble meeting today for?"

Pakka sits with a rat tail swirling from under his trench making a sort of tail spring chair; the other brother Pakku does the same. Pakka opens the discussion, "Killing a Teen Titan, what in the name of Kagejin were you thinking?"

Pakku groans, "She's not dead, the papers say she is but I know better, so do the titans." Before Pakka could speak Pakku raises his palm, "Why take the chance? Simply put, our games are becoming boring. We play good immortal, bad immortal, I am evil, and you are good. Our powers limited to that or mortal flesh and mind we loose all we are… it is SO boring now." Pakku sees the admittance on Pakka, "Listen, I have a plan. Let us both play a role, the role of evil."

Pakka seems horrified, "What? I am a servant of good intentions, not a servant of evil!"

Pakku nods, "True, but I have done deeds of good as much as you! We both train the next generation of titans in one world, so it shows we may alter to the balance. In retrospect, you never have played an agent of evil. What if we were to do this, we both play as soldiers to evil for one game! You and I, both children of immortal not mortal laws, may give an appealing tribulation."

Pakka, for once in his long existence, ponders the game of evil "Still… what about…" his eyes bulge, "Of course, that is why you attacked them! You knew the only being that has ever stood up to you and I together was Raven! You wretched little trickster!"

Pakku grins, "Oh my, was I found out?" he shrugs, "My interference was small and simplistic! She was meant to be injured and found by another I merely offered myself in the place of that ordeal. Now, what of you? Shall you take to my version of our game? Shall you shed your mortal form and become your immortal apparition so we may both play a more intriguing game?"

Pakka thinks on this, his mind now a buzz he grins, "Very well, however we are not to kill anyone!" Pakku nods, "Agreed, not on purpose, no reason to mourn over accidental deaths."

Pakka looks at his brother, but agreeing, they raise to shake hands, "Let us remove these mortal husks, and show the heroes of this world immortal power."

…The Hideout…

Raven's eyes still feel blurred, but it was her mind that sees the images not her eyes. Through the emotions her powers acted out showing Slade in his eyes, living and dead, the world of Azar. It was a vast place of magic and whimsy, towers and structures that matched the actual appeal of castles, but technological shows of machinery mixed with magic also showed through. Slade was not really expecting the place to look as it did, so his first words were, "… Spectacular."

Raven appears to the distance as a teenage girl, around her men chanting and honing their powers. Arella, Raven's mother also is there chanting. Raven's eyes are not human; four of them in red blood like color stretch out with her raging screams of madness. Slade watches as the men continue the chanting, blackened bolts charging across the scenery as Raven convulses in mid air. Slade was watching some kind of actual damn exorcism, or maybe simply a way of trying to control her powers. Whatever it was, it was not working. The Raven in this dream now screams forth again, her body tensing with arms back, then her voice mixed with one Slade still finds in his nightmares calls out in a phrase he has heard all too many times before, "The gem was born of evil's fire. The gem shall be his portal. He comes to claim. He comes to sire. The end of all things mortal."

The priests again try to hold back the surging energy; Arella with her own power tries frantically to hold it back. The girl's voice roars with the other apparition, the walls crack and buckle around this temple and soon a large swirling flame pours around Raven and then out in hellish ferocity. Slade covers himself and waits, his eyes slowly open as the flames have subsided. Raven stands, her eyes in tears, her face in ultimate shame. The people, the city, her own mother… all burnt to death… by her… hands…

Raven and Slade are in the room, Slade looks shocked he never knew this part. "Raven…"

"Are you happy?" Raven looks up with hatred and disgust, "Well Slade? Look at me, like everyone believes I am. I am brittle glass, broken if under too much stress. Surprised?" Slade steps back as Raven gets up with her fists shaking, "The past I have hidden in my mind, kept secret from all even my friend! You had to see it, and make me see it too!"

Slade looks on Raven as she merely scolds him, he does not loose nerve as Raven makes her way to him, and inches to him she looks up asking "How could you? How could you make me see such pain again? I wanted to ignore it, to loose it! Why did you have to make me see it?"

Slade feels her body next to his with heat emanating from her heaving chest. The fact she was writhing in her own rage made Slade cautious of her actions. Raven closes her eyes tightly; the food on the ground is swirling around in blackened swirls, "Was this the plan? Make me so much in pain until finally I had no resistance to you or whatever it is you want? Tell me Slade, what was the point of it all?"

Slade has not answered the questions but he kept tally of them. Slade turns his back to her making her angrier but his next words catch hold, "Addie, she was my wife at one time. That and the love of my life." Raven looks on stunned, "She was my mentor at first, training me to be a great warrior. The time came and we became lovers, and married. We had two sons, Grant and Jericho. As our lives continued I was beginning a program for a super soldier, much like the one used on Captain America from World War II but with more stable symptoms," Slade turns back his face over his shoulder, "Well, supposedly. The serum did not because the degeneration of the body as the new serum was a nearly quadrupled regenerative potency but its effects on the mind… the mind was never meant to develop as quickly as this."

Slade turns back to Raven, she has stopped crying and listens intently, "The scientists never realized I changed, they did take note to my mental degeneration and need to fight, and kill. The psychosis grew and only the company of Addie seemed to quell my rage. In time I was disbarred, and withdrawn from the military with an honorable discharge from the mental losses I kept having in part to the serum… the military that built me into such a great weapon tossed me away when I became too uncontrollable, The first, in a long line of betrayal and disappointments."

Raven has her hands tightly held in her chest as Slade came up to her, "I was left with little choice. Without the military I soon found my way to being a mercenary. Hired to kill and take out contracts on some of the most depraved and disgusting killers and criminals. Ironic, I took those monsters out," Slade smirks to the ceiling, "In the end I turned into one." Slade looks in Raven's amethyst eyes and groans, "Anyway, the career had several problems. One being my family, Addie was attacked as a means to get at me. My one son Jericho was kidnapped by an unknown assailant. Addie and myself joined forces, after I gave her a blood transfusion to save her life. We found our son in the hands of the kidnapper, I thought I could save him with my heightened reflexes but the blade slit my son's throat and… well…" Slade closes his eye tightly as he saw the child, "Damn… I still remember the scream. Addie blamed me; she took something in return for my son's loss of speech. This injury on my face, of all the injuries I ever sustained this one never heals. My body just can not, or will not, heal this wound. I guess it is my reminder for the lives I ruined, the ones I truly loved the most but could never appease."

Slade stops his talk, his long speech ends with him sighing deeply and grabbing his face, "Don't misunderstand me Raven! I am not telling you this for you to pity me or say "How sad" but to show you, my dear, that even the harshest lives do not make one weak." Slade removes his hand and lets his eye view her face; instead of sympathy he saw something around the line of recognition. Raven asks "Addie shot you, and then left you?"

Slade nods, "Yes, she blamed me for our son. When I awoke in the hospital Wintergreen stood waiting for me to wake. Lastly, he gave me the divorce papers. I signed them and all never hunting her as she wished to leave me in the past. I loved her, and loosing her only made me colder, and like you push all away from my pain." He snickers to himself crossing his arms over his chest, "This is the first I have ever told anyone about my pain and misery, and it is quite relieving since you too have known the pain of causing those you love being in pain." Slade looks at Raven, who is now very embarrassed as Slade, says… "Thanks, kid."

Raven lowers her head, kind of tugging at her fingers she says "Um… no problem?" she looks up to Slade shyly asking "What happened to Grant, if you don't mind me asking?"

Slade turns and takes his seat, "I really do not see it necessary at the moment Raven, we have talked too long this morning." Slade rings a bell and Wintergreen stumbles through the doors, he coughs as he stands tall trying not to look like he was ease dropping. "Wintergreen, could you take our guest around the grounds? I believe I may need a little rest." Slade stands and makes to the double doors where he came from. Raven turns to Wintergreen but looks at Slade, "Slade, I am sorry for what Addie did to you, and thank you for letting me talk about my past without acting like I was weak."

Slade smirks, "My dear, weakness is not in ones pain, a power to strive over pain to live is the greatest of all strengths. We will talk again later when I feel more up to it… I am slightly over tensed from our talk." Raven nods, she felt Slade's shame and despair in talking to her about these matters, of course she also felt a deep amount of relief and appreciation. Raven turns to Wintergreen who has a faint grin, "What?"

Wintergreen says, "I never knew Slade to just explain himself like that. It was very refreshing." Wintergreen opens the doors, and as Raven walks past Wintergreen she catches his mind thinking, 'This one might actually be the one.' Raven blinks, "The one what?"

"Ah!" Wintergreen gulps, "Why, nothing is meant by that just some idle thoughts of an old man." Raven shrugs as Wintergreen sighs, soon taking Raven on the tour.

Slade sits in his control room, removing the bandana he shows the large scar tissue over his eye, the burned flesh and deep wound scarred over in pink and pale gray, something of a mix in the singed and scarred flesh. Slade rubs this mark, Addie, what could he say now? Raven surprised Slade, she was more like him than he expected. Hell, he never known she had such a terrible past. To put two and two together, you would find similar lives in their own. Kindred spirits both trapped in dark sinful pasts, the shadows that flicker in their minds and souls. Slade cups his hands together, and admits how the pale beauty was much more welcoming company than… wait… pale beauty? Slade shakes his mind free, these things seem a little new to him. Slade then grabs his chin, "Slade… keep it apart from your work. Don't let yourself fall from your plans just because she…" Slade sighs deeply, "She actually offers me some kind of comfort. This is becoming dangerous; I have to be more careful with my emotions." Slade knew all too well his emotions often lead him down the road to pain. He has to be very careful on this one. Because he could already tell in some ways he was finding Raven not like another apprentice, she seems closer to a friend… or more.

Note: Wow, thought I would never update did we? I had to finish my fic Too Much Red, that took a little while. Take a read, it will be worth your time! Also, my wishes go to a friend called Z. Brite, they were in an accident and we all must wish her luck at healing. Please keep her in your wishes and hopes. Hope everyone liked the latest installment, I SHOULD be able to update more often now that my one fic is finished. The good ones always take the longest.