Disclaimer:
I do not own the teen titans.

Summary:
"And the only time she touches the ground is when that little bird… dies."
What happens when a certain bird falls to prey? Will she once again take flight? Or disappear into the night?

Raven centered fiction.

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Thy soul shall find itself alone.

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RECAP:
"Aw man, we probably need to evacuate the park."

Raven stayed silent, glaring at the intruder.

Robin growled, "..Slade.. WHAT DO YOU WANT!"

---

"No need to evacuate Titans, simply give me what is rightfully mine without delay, and I shall leave you as you all are to enjoy this beautiful day." Slade calmly demanded, standing with his hands folded against his chest.

He was a good fifteen feet away from them. And there was still a lot of people in the park. The titans didn't want to attack, if it wasn't necessary. There was too many lurking, possible dangers to Jump City civilians.

The titans took stance, for the exception of Raven who stood a few feet from Robin. And Hotspot.. was vacationing somewhere. Pfft. (That good for nothing lazy assed Titan..) The leader growled, "What's your game Slade.."

"Raven. Come." Slade said bluntly.

Raven continued to glare at Slade. Silent, yet deadly.

"Dude! She's not just going to go to you!" Beastboy yelled.

"Yeah, man, you're going to have to go through us!" Cyborg replied, letting his sonic cannon load.

"Apprentice, do as I say."

Gasps and quick intakes of breaths were heard. Starfire's hands stopped glowing and flew to her mouth, her face horrified. Beastboy's mouth was open in a silent '..No way.' And Cyborg was just staring at Slade as if he was lying. Though.. Robin, he looked at Raven.

His eyes searching her face, silently pleading.. begging.. for her to deny it.

"I am not your apprentice Slade, now leave us." Raven replied with a commanding tone. Her eyes sending death to Slade.

"Do not make me repeat myself."

"I am with the titans." Her hands were clenched at her sides. Everyone was quiet, looking back and forth between Slade and Raven. Robin never took his eyes off her.

"Dear child, do you truly believe that?" Slade turned his attention to her former comrades, walking closer, then stopping.

"Titans, do you know where Raven has been this past year?"

This time, Starfire replied, "Friend Raven does not wish to discuss it with us, but she will when she wants to."

Slade laughed, sending chills down the young titans spines. "Oh naïve little Starfire, why do you think she does not want to tell you? I'll tell you. Because this past year-" He looked back at Raven, a smirk underneath his mask, "She's been with me."

"No! That is not true! Friend Raven would never do such a thing!" Starfire had cried out. Her hands now to her chest.

"Would she? Why don't you ask your.. friend.. for yourself?" He was enjoying this way too much. Ah, the agony he feeds off.

"Friend Raven, say it is not true! Prove that this.. this.. blorthag is a liar! Tell him!" Starfire desperately looked at her friend, she had flown to Raven's side during this, and now Starfire's hands were clasped together infront of her, practically pleading.

Raven said nothing. Her eyes set on Slade, and her jaw clenched down. Her hands drawn to fists at her side.

Starfire quietly gasped after receiving no response and backed away from Raven.

"Oh dear titans, what ..will.. you do when you finally know that it is true?"

"It is none of their concern Slade." Raven spoke. Her voice ice cold.

"Really now? I think it is. You have not denied the truth, nor have you said otherwise."

Raven looked down, ashamed that what he said was true.

"Tell me, do they accept you?" Slade all but mockingly asked.

"..When you are everything that they stand against?"

Raven whipped her head back at him, "I am a titan!"

"Are you now? I thought titans stood together, Titans didn't abandon each other."

"..She didn't abandon us." Beastboy said quietly, looking at the ground.

Slade heard him, but chose not to response.

"Look at them Raven!" Slade shoved his open hand toward the titans.

"They are heroes. The protect this city. They are Titans. They protect this city from people.. like you. Child, You are with the likes of me. You are a criminal.. You cannot deny that. You have conspired, you have stolen, you have hurt innocent civilians."

Slade had now stepped closer to Raven.

"My.. dear.. dear.. Raven, you are not a Titan."

"..They accept me." Raven had looked back at the ground, the veracity in his words suffocating her, clinging to her, ..becoming her.

"I do not doubt that they did, once. But tell me, Child, look into their eyes, their reactions to my truth that I had said." Slade, by this time, was now only a few feet away from her.

Raven raised her head, only slightly, to look at her friends, Starfire was looking at the ground, her face.. it seemed was full of despair; Cyborg refused to look at her, his eyes on Slade, his sonic cannon still raised; Beastboy was looking at her.. with such sadness; And Robin.. He was the closest to her, ten feet about, his face was still of shock.. of hurt, if she could only see his eyes, she knew she would collapse. All their emotions.. they were all enveloping her, sadness, anger, hurt, shock.

Slade had taken this chance to stand very close to Raven, a foot away atleast.

"..Do they accept you now?"

"Raven.." Robin spoke now, though his voice cracked. He had seen Slade come closer to her, but Robin made no move of offense, he was still.. shocked. His hand outstretched, as if to grab her, but he knew she was still too far.

"Yes, Raven, hear the plea is his voice. He wants you, he needs you, he cares. But you are an empath, surely you can feel the confusion radiating off his body. I am sure the only thing he is clearly thinking is that he would rather have you with him.. than with me.. ..But tell me Raven, if I were someone else, would it be the same?

Would he easily make up the decision that you are his to own. His to possess. If I were anyone on this park, would he quickly take you away, fearing that you would do harm to them? No. He wouldn't. He must think you are harmless with anyone. But with me.. With me, you are powerful."

"..No, that's not true." Robin replied, yet again, his eyes still on Raven. Though, she was looking at the ground again, he noticed that her hands stopped loosened, and her jaw unclenched.

"Robin, then what would you do with her? Now that you know that she is indeed a criminal. Surely, doing your duty to this city, you must submit her to a special facility, due to her.. unique abilities."

Slade watched has Robin's shoulder slumped just a bit. His words were only but true. Of course it was going to hurt.

"Come Child, let us go home." Slade carefully put his hand on her shoulder, inwardly smiling at her apathy.

Raven inhaled and exhaled softly, bringing her eyes upward, to look at her friends. Their reactions were still the same. She was sure they heard Slade's last words. And yet.. they made no move to stop him. No cries to reason with him.. No pleads for her to stay. Her eyes quickly blurred to sudden tears, yet they did not fall. How could they so easily give her away?

Slade, as if sensing her hesitation and question, "Our home.. where you are accepted as you are."

Raven kept her eyes on her friends for only a second, then downward. Her held tears falling from the sudden movement.

The master and apprentice disappeared in seconds time, due to her teleporting ability.

The titans stood there, shocked. Beastboy was first to talk.

Garfield scratched the back of his head, "..Well. That was unexpected."

"Why.. did Friend Raven leave us.." Starfire said quietly, eyes still on the ground infront of her.

"Yeah man, she didn't even give up a fight." Cyborg frowned, but more so, he was angry.

Robin sighed, and started to walk to the exit of the amusement park, he paused and turned his head to the side, addressing his team, who was just looking at him, "It wasn't as if we tried either." He continued to walk, "Let's go home. Starfire, Beastboy, find a way to take her bike back home."

Starfire sighed heavily, and walked also to the exit, "It is true friends, I was not able to stop her due to my.. surprise. I am feeling horrible. We had just given our friend to Slade.."

---

The titans alarm rang out, the red lights filling everyones room. Their sleeping forms awaken by the sudden intrusion of sound.

Robin, of course, was first to get to the main room, dressed, his uniform a bit wrinkled. Then the others. Robin frowned and turned off the alarm. It wasn't some security alarm. But then their screen blinked on, Slade's face shown.

"Titans, I hope I didn't wake you." Slade smirked underneath his mask.

"..What do you want?" It was Beastboy who spoke. Robin was shaking with fury. Starfire looked sad, and Cyborg was as mad as Robin, if not less.

"Nothing special.. I'm sending coordinates. Do please come."

"Where is Friend Raven!" Starfire shouted, her righteous anger finally showing.

"If you visit me, you'll know. Goodbye Titans."

---

"Titans. I'm happy you could all make it." Slade had said while walking from the shadows and into the moonlight which shown through a broken window. His arms folded acrossed his chest.

"Slade! What do you have planned!" Robin yelled while he got out his bo staff, the team instantly going into stance.

"Where is Friend Raven!" Starfire shouted, her hands glowing with Tamaran strength.

"Don't get so haughty children, you can always sleep later. I just wanted to introduce you all to a friend of mine, but I do believe you've all had the luxury in meeting her already."

"..Robin and his flock.." A feminine voice floated through the warehouse, her whereabouts unknown.

"Yes, his.. flock. Why don't you put these birds in cages, so that they don't fly away my dear?" Slade replied.

There was no sign in her responding as she continued to look at the team from her unknown place in the shadows, yet transparent black bars emitted from the ground surrounding each individual titan and closed over their heads, trapping them.

Starfire immediately tried throwing a starbolt, unfortunately, it simply bounced off the bars and flew in her cage before dissapating, but not before scorning Starfire on the shoulder, earning a small 'eep' from her.

Cyborg lowered his cannon and reverted it back to his arm, just witnessing Starfire's misfortune. He had thought of blasting his way out but then had heard Starfire's squeal. He reached out and felt the bars, no shock, but they felt solid enough, he tried pulling them apart, nothing. He sighed and gave an apolegetic smile to Starfire.

Robin had made no move, still glaring at Slade, was he angry. His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

"Uh.. maybe I could get out." Beastboy caustiously said scratching the back of his head, then turning into a small mouse. He made move to go between the bars. He was almost home free, except for the small fact that before he could reach it, he suddenly turned into a green record player with a speaker.

Starfire and Cyborg were surprised, only when they were in Mumbo's hat, was he turned into objects. Robin had glanced only quickly, trying to keep his eyes on Slade, and a lookout for his guest.

"Dude! So not cool! I can't even turn back! Or turn into anything!" Beastboy's voice floated through the player.

"I do believe it is Mumbo's doing, Friend Beastboy." Starfire smiled apogetically at the player.

"Yeah, maybe he teamed up with Slade." Cyborg frowned.

"Don't be so sure team, Slade said his accomplice was a female."

The joining of two hands echoed through the darkness, leading to Slade. He was clapping for a few seconds.

"Very good Robin. You always were the detective. But please, do meet her. Woman, come out."

The Ravager stepped from behind Slade, the Titans surprised that they didn't see her before. She stood next to Slade, her hands behind her back.

"Ravager!" Robin all but yelled. His hands now grasping angrily at his bars.

The Ravager tilted her head to the side, "Oh, Birdy, I do love your cage. It suits you. To maybe tame your anger, no?" She made her way to his cage. Stopping only a few feet from him.

"Why are you working with Slade!"

Ravager smiled only slightly, "My, my, guess he can't be tamed." She teased. Though, she was suddenly grabbed by Robin's outstretched arm which was through the bars.

Ravager found her back against his cage, his hands clamped hard on both of her forearms.

"Ouch. That hurt." She mockingly replied.

"Why are you working with him.." He growled, his face close to the bars.

"Why do you care?" She answered, moving her head to the side so she could see him in the corner of her eye.

"Dear me, I do believe you two have such an intimate relationship." Slade said. Knowing it would anger Robin, sooner or later.

"Do you really? He is fond of me, isn't he?" Ravager replied, turning her head to Slade. "Always touching me, he kissed me that one time did I tell you?" Ravager turned her head back to the side, addressing Robin, "Do you think he'll still feel that way when he sees me though?"

"Why don't you find out?" Slade was just waiting for his reaction. Anticipating his downfall.

"What are you two talking about?" Robin growled, yet again. His grip on her arms, becoming tighter.

"Take off my mask Birdy, and see for yourself. Look, I'll even put my arm through here," Ravager paused and slipped her lower arms through the bars and held her wrists together, "See, now you can hold me with one hand, and you can unviel me with the other. No trouble." She said, a playful smile on her face.

"What are you playing at Ravager.." Robin said, his voice laced with impatience.

"Nothing, here, just take it off." She lowered her head, so that the back of her neck showed. "Just untie the mask and take it off. Don't tell me you're scared."

Robin just grunted and held her wrists in one hand, and untied her mask, grabbing a fist of it, then pulled it completely off her head.

Black hair spilled all over, though her head was still down so he couldn't see her face.

"Show me your face." He commanded.

"As you wish, Birdy." The Ravager turned her head toward him, only half of it showed though, since her back was still to his cage.

Starfire gasped, she was slightly behind Robin on his left, her hand flying to her mouth.

Cyborg said an inaudible curse as he slammed his fist on his cage. He was a few feet away from Starfire on her right.

Beastboy couldn't see anything, being a player. "Dude! What happened! TELL ME!" He yelled, hearing the conversation and then Starfire's gasp. Of course he heard Cyborg's curse too. Beastboy was on Robin's right, but back a little.

Think of it Robin, Beastboy, Cyborg then Starfire, going clockwise.

Robin stood there, shocked, and then stumbled back in his cage, his hand on Ravager's wrist flying away from her, as if he was burned. His hands were at his sides, his back against his cage. Eyes staring hard at the face infront of him.

Raven slowly removed her arms from his cage and stepped forward, picking up the dropped mask on the floor. She turned around to face her former comrades. Her eyes on her mask in her hands.She paused, looking at it for a moment, her face apathetic. She then smirked and dropped the mask, letting it fall to the concrete floor with a small 'smack.'

Raven turned her head upward, letting her eyes wander each of her former comrades' faces.Then falling on Robin.

"I told you that night. When I visited you. I'm a ravaging raven." Raven said quietly.

Slade was enjoying this way too much, he wouldn't dare interrupt her.

Raven then walked to Beastboy's cage, sure that he still didn't know who The Ravager was.

"Try not to escape this time." She said, Beastboy turned back to his humanoid form, a bit dizzy. Then his eyes focosed on Raven, then on her outfit.

"..Dude.." Was all he could say.

Raven smiled, and waved her hand infront of him, the spaced between his cage turning into clear plastic and the top of his cage becoming small holes for air.

"..why Raven?" Beastboy asked softly. His earlier shock making him sit against his cage, his knees slightly drawn up, and his arms hanging from them. He was staring at the ground.

"Why what Beastboy?"

Beastboy opened his mouth to say something, but paused for a moment, searching for words, "..I dont want you to be like Terra.." He said quietly.

Raven stared at his sitting form for a few seconds, his words sinking in. She crouched infront of him, waiting until Beastboy lifted his head to look at her, his eyes showed an infinite source of sadness.

"..I won't. I'm not going to die." Raven replied, almost soothingly.

She stood up, wiping unseen dust off her pants then walked to Cyborg. Cyborg just looked at her unbelieving, his eyes pleading for her to deny the truth.

"Were you with him this whole time?" He said, his voice normal, though almost cracking.

She knew he meant when she joined the titans. Hell, she co founded it.

"No." Raven replied softly, her eyes boring into him, until he looked down.

Raven then moved to Starfire, her eyes were clouded with tears.

"Tell me it is not true Raven, you cannot be.. this Ravager and with Slade.." Starfire choked out, her hands gripping her bars.

Raven let out a small smile, "I was never a good liar, Star."

The black haired woman then made her way to Robin's cage, standing though only a few feet infront of him.

She stayed silent. Her eyes set on Robin's downcast ones.

"Ah, Titans, finding out this untouched thief was your former teammate. Must be heart breaking. But really, let me explain. Do you all remember that night that she disappeared?" Slade provided.

Raven stepped forward, touching Robin's cage. "Do you even remember where I told you I was going? No matter."

She took a deep breath, her eyes still on Robin. "After I left my cafe, Slade had grabbed me in the shadows, and drugged me in an alleyway." She all said this softly, as though trying to make them understand.

"I woke up in a room. I found my communicator missing, instantly knowing Slade probably had it or had broken it."

"..Yes.. we had found your communicator on the ground.. it was broken." Starfire said quietly, not wanting to interrupt.

Raven nodded, her eyes never moving. "I don't know when it was found, but when I was in that room, I still had faith that you titans would find me. I was wearing my cloak afterall."

Robin looked up at this, his eyes wide, realization dawing on him, he stared at Raven.

"Yes, Robin, you, yourself, had installed the homing beacon on my broach. I was sure it was still working since I had just replaced it a few weeks before. So I had waited, sure that you would come. Unfortunately, Slade did not wait." She paused, her eyes focosed on Robin's mask. Exactly where she knew his eyes would be.

"I fought of course, how long, I didn't know. Hours maybe. I was being beaten." She let her eyes wander to the other titans.

First Beastboy's eyes, which were staring at her also, his mouth partially open, "My flesh was literally hanging off my bones."

Then to Cyborg, who had the same expression, though his mouth was closed, "I had multiple broken limbs."

She looked to Starfire, "My hair and my clothes were covered and soaked in my own blood."

Her eyes found Robins once again. "And yet I fought. I continued on, telling myself it was only a matter of time before all of you arrived.. Tell me Robin, was my beacon broken? Was the frequence not strong enough?"

"..I.. Didn't think of the device.. at that moment." Robin replied, quietly, yet guilty. His eyes finding the floor once again.

Raven nodded, "I thought of that.. but then I went to the same alleyway only a few days ago, do you know what I found?"

Silence followed, she continued, "I found a note. An old battered note. It was underneath a broken piece of my communicator. Didn't you find it odd that the front cover of my communicator was missing when you found it? Did you even look for clues? Did you even try?" Her voice took a small emotional turn, then she fixed herself, her eyes falling to an unknown place. Away from him.

Robin brought his head back, almost getting whiplash, his eyes wide, once again. But she was looking at something else.

"The writing was faded a bit, I assumed that it was from the night he took me.." She turned her eyes back at him, it was a sad and questioning stare. "It was a ransom. There was even a location and time.." She paused, "He gaveyou chance to find me."

"Yes, I did. Though I was thorougly disappointed when all of you didn't come. Unfortunately, Raven was still.. unconscious with the drugs I had given her. I then decided to bring her home with me." Slade offered to the story.

"I tried multiple times to contact you with our bond. All of them failing miserably, your mind was too jumbled up to focus on anything, no less feeling my attempts.." She paused once again her eyes on the floor, "I tried once more.. though I was almost dead, with the last of my powers, I tried contacting you with everything that I had.."

She chuckled bitterly, "..Imagine my surprise when I found Starfire's voice in your head. There I was.. dying. Trying my damnest to reach you.. and both of you were.. preoccupied."

Raven looked back at him. Her eyes daring for him to speak. "Do you remember that night?"

Robin furrowed his eyebrows together, trying to remember.

Raven moved to Starfire's cage, her hand grazing the bars. "Starfire, was that night enjoyable for you? You must have been.. ecstatic to say the least." Her voice taking a teasing tone, though if you had noticed, it was more than bitter and sad.

"..Ah." Starfire blushed, remembering that night, and looked down.

"I thought so, no need to say anything Starfire." Raven said coldy, and moved back to Robin's cage. Her hand grazing his bars as she made to stand infront of him.

"Do tell me you remember Robin.. or should I remind you?"

He said nothing, his eyes on the ground.

"Must you look down? I'd rather have your eyes on me." With this, Robin looked up, his eyes confused, wandering where this was going.

"That's better." She stopped infront of his cage, both hands now on the bars, her head tilted to the side.

"Tell me Robin, Do you love Starfire?"

Starfire jerked her head up at this, staring at the duo.

"I mean, you two were together that night, though you had broken up with her a year earlier, you were with her that night. I'm assuming that both of you are in a current relationship? Or was that a one night stand?"

Robin clenched his jaw down.

"I see.. Starfire," Raven raised her head toward the alien, "Are you and Robin in an intimate relationship at the moment?"

"We are.. we are not." Starfire stutttered and looked down.

"I thought so." Raven looked back at Robin.

"Back to my.. discovery. I was alone Robin.. beaten.. dying.. and you were having a pleasure cruise. Must have been one heck of a night, if you've forgotten about me. So there I was.. On the floor.. bleeding to death, and I contact you.."

Raven gave out a small exaggerated exhale and brought her eyes up, Robin still looking at her. He noticed her grip on the bars going tighter, her knuckles getting paler.

"I contact you and what do I hear? That only, and last time I contacted you.. And I'm faced with moans of pleasure.. screams of Starfire's name.. I had even thought for a fleeting moment.. that none of you even knew that I was missing.." Raven pursed her lips together and looked back at Robin, small tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

Flashback

Robin sat on his bed, all of them just returning from the alleyway. He had called the rest of the titans when Starfire found the broken pieces of Raven's communicator. They searched for clues but found none. And Cyborg said that they should get some sleep first. And so they were all in their rooms, sleeping.

He sighed, and ran his hand over his face. There it was again, that nagging feeling. He had been getting these for the past few hours. He didn't know what it was, but it was growing into a headache..

A small knock emitted from Robin's door. Robin, surprised that anyone was still up, opened the door to reveal Starfire.

"Starfire.. why aren't you asleep?" Robin asked, his voice tired. He motioned for her to enter his room, she did. She decided to sit on his bed.

Starfire was wringing her hands together, her eyes set on him, she seemed stressed and despaired.

"I am worried for Friend Raven.. There had been signs of a struggle.. and a kidnapping.. what if she is hurting, Friend Robin!" She finally broke into tears covering her face with her hands.

Robin, shocked for a moment, then sat next to her rubbing her back.

"It's alright Star, we'll find her. It's okay."

Starfire continued to cry and hugged Robin, which he returned. "I..I cannot but help feel depair over her-her disappearance!"

She looked up, her eyes red and puffy. Robin smiled, "It'll be okay Star.."

Starfire smiled softly then looked at him, coming closer. Then she brought her lips to his, he was surprised at first, but she was blunt and toppled back, bringing Robin down with her..

End Flashback

She stepped back, and walked to Garfield's cage, her hands pressed against his glassed cage. "..What about you Beastboy? I was known missing when this happened, right?" Raven asked quietly, her eyes pleading with him.

Beastboy's ears turned down and looked at the ground. He remembered that night.. he had animal hearing.. of course he heard everything. He looked up at her, seeing her silent pleading. Beastboy sighed heavily, "..Yes."

Raven nodded slowly and not wanting to hear anything else, made her way back to Robin. "I collapsed soon after.. Does anyone know why..?"

Silence followed, then, "..The pain.. it was inevitable." It was Robin. He was glaring at Slade, his hands back to clenching at his sides.

Raven paused in her step. Then walked up to Robin, behind him, whispering close to his ear, "..The pain?" Her tears resurfaced.

"Fine.. lets say it was the pain Robin.." She made her way to the side of him, her hands holding his cage bar, as if she was holding it for dear life. Her eyes set on his. "Was it the pain I was physically currently enduring..? Or was it pain.." Now both her hands clenched the bar, her knuckles again turning white.

"Or was it the pain that I was feeling through my very soul Robin.. The pain that I was going through while our bond was slowly being ripped to shreds? Was it the pain that my heart was feeling? As if it itself was being held in tightening hands? Was it the pain in.. hearing you and Starfire together..? Was it the pain of violently being pushed aside in your mind.. made room for your.. lover? Tell me.. was the pain you're saying when my heart stopped beating.. for only a moment when my soul bond with you had been overcomed with your.. ecstacy?" Raven said the last few lines with clenched teeth.

Tears flowing down her cheeks, her hands slightly trembling with the hold on the cage.

"TELL ME ROBIN! WHAT PAIN WAS IT!" Raven cried out, her face in aguish.

Robin just stared at her.. her words still sinking in. He opened his mouth to say something, but paused, not knowing what words. His hands were at his sides, though he grabbed the bars close to his hands, afraid that he might collapse from her pain. And the guilt that was stabbing through his heart.

Raven set her forehead on the bars, breathing heavily, "You of all people, Robin, I thought you would have found me. I thought you.. would have used our bond to seek me out. But never in my entirety, would I think.. you could cut me out of your life so easily.." She said it quietly, her eyes on the floor.

She released her hold on the bars and instead hit the bars with both her hands, open palmed, very hard, with a small angered exhale. Earning a slight sound from the metal. She started to walk back, breathing hard.Her eyes set in a glare at him.

"..I died that night. That Raven you knew.. She died." She stopped walking, and paused in her breathing, looking downward for only a second, then back at him, a bitter smile on her face.

Raven raised her arms at her sides, "..And out of the ashes rose The Ravager."

"Then where is Friend Raven!" Starfire yelled, her naïvety getting the best of her. Taking Raven's words literally.

Raven made no move to glance at Starfire, but kept her eyes on Robin. Then very quietly, but clearly, "Her soul was consumed by the fires of ressurection."

Starfire froze on her spot, then dropped to her knees, sobbing, her hands covering her face. Of course, thinking that her 'friend raven' was gone forever.

Robin looked at Starfire crying and frowned, looking back at Raven. "That was uncalled for Raven. You know how Starfire is."

"Is it Robin? Is it not true? I am simply telling Starfire what had happened to the 'Raven' she once knew. Don't you dare tell me what is uncalled for. If you had only looked harder in the alleyway, it might have turned out all different. But you didn't. That, Robin, was uncalled for."

Raven turned her eyes at the side, blinking rapidly, trying to stop the tears. Her mouth open, as to try and breathe calmly. She then turned to Robin and waved her hand, his cage instantly disappearing.

No one knew what to say.. The moon rose higher, its light flooding the warehouse, lighting up most of the darkness through the broken high windows.

Slade stepped up and laid a hand on her shoulder, she didn't respond. He then stepped forward, releasing his hold. He addressed the titans, "With the last of her powers, she had created a large blast, whether it was a last attempt to kill me, or it was the hurt she was feeling. I still don't know. I had been blown back a few hundred feet, through walls no less. I found her, still alive, though unconscious, in a middle of a large crater she must have made. I brought her to my healing facility.

She healed herself of course. But for the price of her memoryas she said.. Now you titans must have atleast imagine my fortunate predictament. Here I had a very powerful titan, and no recall of her life whatsoever. I trained her to be my apprentice of course, as you all now see.

You must be thinking how she could be here without atleast seeing herself in the newspaper.. I trained her, yes. But I did not let her do anything in Jump City until recently. Even then, she did not get any memories from seeing this city. And she was virtually forgotten by now.

She must have remembered something though, I suspect it was during that museum heist," He turned to Raven, "when you were electrocuted by that force, yes?" Raven gave a slight nod, and nothing else. Slade continued, "She then came to the tower, you must have video footage of it. Then back to me," Slade chuckled, "Which was quite fun, unfortunately, she got tired and ran back to you.. This is where I decided that I couldn't let such a beautiful, talented child go."

Raven stepped up to Robin, her eyes set hard on him.

"What are you going to do now Robin? I am with Slade. It is inevitable to fight me. So I will give you a chance to strike me, though, you will receive no help from your team."

Robin stood his ground, grinding his teeth, "Step away from him Raven."

The woman looked at him, who was free of his cage, yet he made no move to attack. Sadness evident in her eyes, "..I lost my memory when I woke up.. Can you imagine my situation.. when I didn't even know my own name.. my own past.. Do you know how I felt.. so.. desperate.. for something familiar.." Her voice cracked, "..Anything.. familiar? I was alone Robin..I didn't know where I was.. who I was.. You wake up on this table.. with torn clothes and uncontrollable powers.. how would you feel?" Tears started form in her eyes again, "For days.. I waited for anyone, someone to just claim me.. help me.. but no one came. Only Slade. I didn't know who he was Robin.. except he helped me.. he gave me a home. He was the only thing I knew.."

She blinked, the tears fell from their holding place, she took a deep breath, "..When I regained my memory.. I was.. torn between two lives.. Both I had grown to love. But the one Slade gave me.. was so much more better for me Robin. You have to understand. I have control now. I can do things I never thought I could.. I'm accepted.." Her eyes begging for him to understand.

Robin opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off with Raven's continuation.

"No, Robin.." Raven shook her head slightly, "I was never accepted being a titan.. the citizens.. they were always afraid of me. They couldn't accept me. No, listen-" She said when she saw Robin opening his mouth again. "..All those times that when we were out.. I'd walk with you, I'd eat with you, I'd sleep in the same tower. But you have to know, I never felt like I was accepted. At nights, I would question myself.. waiting.. wanting.. wishing for just a fleeting moment to feel right.."

Raven took a deep breath, her eyes shortly looking up then back at Robin. "But with Slade.. he readily accepted me. Even when my powers were deadly because of my memory loss. He took me in Robin.. For whatever reasons.. I still don't know.. But I'm accepted here.." She paused, looking at the ground, and quietly, very softly, "..I'm not going with you.."

Robin looked at her.. his heart was breaking.. he was almost on the verge of tears, except until her words haunted through him.. 'I'm not going with you..' How could she do this! It was he who helped her form the titans to defeat her father! It was he who rescued her when she was turned to a child. ..It was he.. who loved her.. ..how could she..

"Then I will.. fight you. I will bring you in. You and Slade." His voice was cold. He set his mind. He made no hesitation in fighting Beastboy when he transformed, nor did he hesitate.. to fight Terra. Though his conscious was screaming for him to stop, for him to try and convince her to go to him. But his duty came first before his own thoughts. His mind was clouded with anger.. with confusion.. he couldn't think straight except for retribution.. though a small part of him was saying it wasn't right.. but it was too overwhelmed with fury. HOW COULD SHE! After all this time, she's going to side with him! Fine! He'll take them both down..

"Just come with us Raven." Beastboy pleaded after hearing the coldness in Robin's voice. This wasn't good.

"And what then will you do when you have me?" Raven's eyes turned to Beastboy. Then back to Robin.

"I cannot be a titan, and I refuse to be caged as if I was an animal."

"Damnit Raven!" Robin yelled in pure anger, his eyes screwd shut, his hands clenched at his sides. And then, something happened, something that the titans would never think they would ever witness in their lives. Robin clutched his head, his fingertips turning white from the pressure he held his head in. And then he screamed. A horrific, deep, deathly screech.

The remaining windows in the warehouse shattered, illuminating more of the mere shadows hiding in the dark corners. The cages that housed the titans, slowly fled to the floor. Slade widened his eye. He's heard this scream before, only in the depths of hell could you hear such a noise.

Raven kept her eyes on him, wary of his actions. She knew there wasn't anything she could do to stop a possession. That is why she left her hold on the titans, if she was going to fight, she wasn't exactly to hold some power to just cage them.

Robin then stood up, he seemed taller, more.. intimidating.

His eyes were empty, though he stared at Raven with a hidden passion of fury. He snarled a greeting, it was otherwordly, hellish.

Raven narrowed her eyes at him, instantly recognizing the gnarl. Say it was from her blood, her kin. She growled lowly, "I will not be taken so easily Markus, the body you occupy gives me no weakness."

"You may think that sister, but will you so easily kill this body to rid me of it? No matter, it is irrelevant to my plans." Robin spoke with a voice not his own. It was dark and low, the voice seemed to boom into the spacious warehouse. Silencing all but his target, who was more than eager to silence him.

Raven, tired of his games, grunted and brought her fist back for leverage, then forward, connecting it to Robin's jaw.

Robin/Markus staggered back from the blow, before regaining his footing. He bellowed a large growl, the ground beneath his feet shaking for a moment before demons rose from the concrete.

The titans were quickly apprehended by them, two to each titan. It took four to withold Slade.

"As to no interruptions sister, I must take precautions." Robin/Markus replied when he noticed Raven's glance at the titans.

Raven looked back at Robin/Markus with hate in her eyes.

"Don't tell me you're here to take me to Hell again. Didn't we do this before? It ended in your demise remember?"

"Only in this pitiful mortal world sister, my form continues to exist in the underworld. I was sure you knew that."

"Ugh!" Raven, frustrated, unsheathed her katana from her back and aimed it at Markus. "And I will kill you once again brother, and you shall stay in the abyss or your deaths will be inevitable by my hands!"

"I look forward to it sister, let's get this over already?" Markus mocked her by yawning, "I grow tire of your childish threats."

"I don't make threats Markus, I make promises." She brought her other hand to hold the katana and swiftly swung it down toward his chest.

Markus simply stepped back and materialized his own sword made out of his red demonic powers. He smirked and they dueled.

(Authors Note: Sorry, I'm like lacking the inspiration to actually write a fighting scene.)

Metal against metal clashed, one glowing red with power, the other power drawn from how its used. They stepped forward, backward, side to side, yet not one of them could successfully get a hit. It was either barely missed or a light scratch.

Raven grunted as her sword was thrown out of her hands and clattered to the side. Narrowing her eyes at her smirking brother, she jumped forward to make a grab for it. Unfortunately Markus saw this and readied himself.

Her hand inches away from the hilt of her sword, she cried out in pain when a two inch blade sliced through her hand and into the concrete floor, pinning it there.

A dark laugh echoed through the warehouse, and Raven quickly swung her free hand open palmed at the source. She paused, eyes widened and horrified.

"Yes dear sister, your powers are.. not available at the moment." The laughing had ceased but only for a moment before continuing again at his sister's helplessness.

Raven sat there, her trembling hand pinned to the concrete, she snarled, "What did you do Markus.. You cannot take it away from me, It is my heritage! You have no right!"

Markus paused in his joy filled glory in her agony, to look at her, "Of course I have no right.. but a devil does.

Yes sister, I was to be punished for my.. earlier failure. But a certain devil guaranteed your.. lack of power, if only I brought you home. I was confused at first, but The Devil, How could I refuse?" Markus made an emphasis on 'The.'

Raven snarled and wrapped her free hand around the sword that was currently embedded in her other hand. Blood quickly running down her fingers due to the sharpness of the blade. She glared back at Markus, "I don't give a damn on what The Devil wants."

On 'give' she had pulled the sword from her hand, blood instantly pouring from the wound. She panted, she usually didn't feel much pain due to her powers, unfortunately her bastard brother had taken them away. Temporary she hoped.

(AN: Dramatic sequence following, get or play song then read. I swear, it fits perfectly. coughlimewirecough)


(Avenged Sevenfold – I won't see you tonight Part 1 – song time; 8:58)

Raven only glanced at her hand for a second, though that descision would soon be a fatal mistake. For Markus had took this chance, in all his quick glory, grabbed his discarded sword.

Raven only saw his hand grab his sword, although before she was able to do anything, she saw the metal make a swift move under her neck.

"Friend Raven!" "Oh my god.." "Dude.. I think I'm gonna be sick.." "..." Starfire, Cyborg, and Beastboy all exclaimed, though Slade was quiet, his eyes let the scene flood into him.

Raven gasped, though it was ragged and sore. Raven gripped her own sword she had earlier taken in her good hand and made a blinded swipe infront of her. Markus easily blocked it with his sword and again threw her sword out of her hands. Her grip on it was loosened due to the fact that she was loosing blood fast.

Markus bent over a little and made a grab for her neck, but she was blindly hitting his hand away with her pierced hand. She continued to try and take breaths, but it was futile. The cut in her neck wasn't deep enough to instantly kill her, but deep enough for her to die. Slowly.

Markus finally grabbed her neck when her attempts to push him away slowed. He smirked and stood up, clutching her neck tightly, blood seeping under his fingers. He held her slightly above him, her feet hanging from her body, unable to touch the ground. A blink, and he was now in the warehouse high balcony rail. Though the metal, rusted rail was broken, the floor he stepped onto was still stable.

Raven's hands faintly grabbed at the wrist which belonged to hand around her neck. Though darkness cornered her vision, she could vaguely see that he was dangling her in the air. Her eyes wandered to the side, looking at the ground, it looked as if she was halfway up the six story high warehouse. She didn't remember him climbing any stairs.. her head felt like a damn carebear.. fuzzy.

Her eyes wandered back to Markus, though he wasn't looking at her, his grip on her neck was still tight. He was breaking a piece off the old, rusted rail. Markus grinned when he succeeded, a metal, rusted, pipe-looking, piece of stair rail in his hands.

"I have to make sure you actually die sister, I don't want to be coming back only to find you in a hospital." Markus cruelly said, a sadistic smirk on his face.

If Raven could talk, she would've told him to 'Fuck Off.'

"I'll meet you there dear Raven." With this, Markus drove the foot long rail near her heart until only his hand shown, the rest of the rail sticking out of her back, earning a quick intake of breath from his victim. "I do hope I stabbed your dark little heart, I always had bad aim."

He released his hold on her neck, and watched her body make its way to the ground with a sickening crunch. She had fallen on her back, making the rusted metal make its way BACK out and stick through her chest.

Everyone was quiet. The sadistic laughter of the murderer making its way down as the owner purposelly took their time down the rusted metal stairs.

Markus stopped infront of his sister's body. Blood pooling beneath her head and chest, his murder weapon standing on its own through her chest as if it was a medal. He smiled at that. He crouched down on the side of her body and watched her for a moment, seeing no movement, he stood up.

"Ahh.. killing her made me all warm inside.." Markus retorted as he folded his arms against his chest, his eyes on the body.

"But I do believe, it is my time to take my leave," He paused and looked at the titans who were still being held by his demon horde, "Don't worry children, your leader is still here. Infact he saw everything he did." He gave one final smirk and the demons disappeared.

Robin, now free from his possession, fell to his knees, still infront of Raven. Yes, that damn bastard was right, he did see everything. His hands trembled infront of him. The titans slowly making their way to him. Slade, despaired, had left as soon as the demons released him.

Raven, with her brother now gone, had received her powers back. She gasped as her eyes shot open. Healing powers trying desperately to heal their owner.

Robin froze, she was alive? "Don't move Raven.. I'll.. I'll take this out.." His trembled hand covered the rod and he hesitated before completely pulling it out and throwing it to the side.

Raven whimpered from the sudden movement. She felt herself being lifted up and held in strong arms, she looked up at Robin. She knew she wasn't going to make it.. her powers couldn't possibly save her in time. She had lost too much blood.

"Titans! Hurry! We need to get her to a hospital!" Robin yelled, he was still on his knees, but Raven was now in his arms.

Raven shook her head, pain overwhelming her from her neck wound. Her breathing becoming more rapid. She opened her mouth to speak, yet only small croaks came out.

Robin, sensing that she was trying to tell him something, brought his face closer to hers, tears quickly falling underneath his mask. The hands that held her still trembling. He ripped off his mask, not being able to see her due to his tears. Blurred azure eyes staring down at Raven.

The titans had now gathered around them, not knowing what to do. Cyborg had already called the police and an ambulance. Starfire, who had kneeled also, was sobbing in her hands, next to Raven, and was being comforted by Beastboy, who was staring at Raven with disbelief. Cyborg was just staring at Raven, shaking his head.

"Ro.." Robin put his ear close to her mouth, not being able to ear her.

"I'll...way..wait..me.." Raven's words inaudible and words skipped. Her eyes became heavy and she closed them, "..for..me.."

Robin drew his head back up and looked at her, "..Raven..?" His voice cracked, more tears finding their way to the ground. He brought her body closer to his, one hand supporting her head, her hair mixed with his fingers, his other hand supported her back.

"Raven.." He brought his mouth to her head, his eyes screwed shut in agony.

The titans watched in shock, Paramedics flying through the door with a wheeled cart. Orders being shouted. Police sirens and lights flooding through the windows.

Some police and paramedics watched the young boy who was no older than 18, sob and mourn for the bloody girl in his arms. Here they saw, their hero, their titan.. his head in her neck, his body violently shaking with agony. Robin, the boy wonder, had been broken.

Robin took in none of this except for the girl in his hands. His body shook with sobs as he rocked her and himself while muttering words..

"..Sir, we need you to let go of her so we could help her..Sir?" A paramedic asked him..

Robin wordlessly handed her to the paramedic and then bent over, letting his forehead touching the ground, his arms hugging his stomach, he continued to shake with sobs. Her whispered words haunting his mind.

---

Authors Note: I do hope you had played the song while reading the latter piece of this chapter! I mean, seriously. Epilogue up next, and then I'll try and post up the seqeul's first chap so you guys can keep it on alert, On the mean time, put me up for author alert, or check back on my profle!

This was a great story to write, thank you everyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It gives me hope that I can actually write. To other peoples' pleasure too. Thank you.

Ist.