I wake up with a pounding noise in my head. I groan and start to sit up. Something pulls on my arm and I look at it. It's a chain, binding me to a pillar.
"What the fuck is going on?" I whisper to myself.
"You've finally been captured," a voice says.
I turn around and face Slade.
"You said it could never be done," he says with an evil smile. "But it was."
"What do you want me for?" I say angrily.
"All in good time," he says, turning away. "Just be a good girl and I might not hurt your friends."
"Leave them alone," I say, trying to get up. "They have nothing to do with this."
My legs start feeling like jelly and I get light-headed. I fall back down.
"Damn you, Slade," I say, holding my head. "Did you have to tranquilize me?"
"I had to make sure my precious treasure would not try to escape," he says, walking away.
At that, I remember something.
"The precious metals," I yell after him. "What were they for?"
He steps into an elevator and presses a button. As the door closes, he says,
"You."
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Running through the city, in human form. A giant Slade comes out of nowhere. He's holding Robin. I try to transform, but can't. He lifts his gun and shoots Robin.
"No!" I yell.
I sit up and look around. I see the underground of Slade's 'home.' I put my head in my hands and breathe deeply.
"He wouldn't kill Robin," I whisper. "He wants Robin too."
I sit up and though I've been shocked.
"Robin!"
I look around the basement, searching for any sign of Robin. My search is futile. No Robin.
I bury my head once more and think.
What does Slade want with me? Why does he want me when I have found my ache? Why was he stealing precious metals? Why did he refer to me as a 'precious treasure?'
All the questions make my head hurt, and I lie down.
I wish someone could help me, I think.
I can, I hear.
I sit back up again.
Raven!
Yes.
I'm in Slade's basement, where's…
He's here with us. And he won't stop pacing around. Where is Slade's hideout?
Robin should know from the last time.
I'll ask him.
My thoughts are clear and I smile in triumph and happiness. Slade has not won yet.
He says he thinks he knows the way.
I snap back into my thoughts.
Okay, I'm in the basement. But I'm sure Slade will have some surprises for you all when you get here. Don't split up! Stay together!
Okay. See you in a bit.
My thoughts go clear again and I sigh. I'll be rescued in no time. And then I'll be back among my friends.
"Don't count on it," Slade says, appearing before me.
"You won't stop them," I say, surprised I had been whispering to myself.
"We'll just see who stops who, treasure," he says and comes towards me.
"What are you doing?" I ask, unfazed. "And why do you keep referring to me as you 'treasure?'"
He doesn't answer me but kneels down in front of me. He reaches for my neck and I tense up. He lifts my chin and looks.
"Where is it?" he asks, releasing his hold of me.
"Where's what?" I ask, utterly confused.
He looks into my eyes and I stare back. He seems to believe me and gets up. He brushes the dirt from his knees and turns around.
"Tell the Titans, they won't get past my security," he says, walking to the door. "I'll be back in ten minutes."
"What do I care?" I say, angry at not knowing what he's talking about.
He doesn't answer, but simply disappears into the elevator.
Raven, I think as soon as Slade is gone.
Yes?
Slade won't be here for ten minutes.
Why?
I don't know, and I don't care. But Slade said he had some security up that you guys won't get past. He said.
We'll handle it.
We stop talking to each other and I relax. I have nothing to worry about.
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Ten minutes later, I'm worried.
"What do you mean, you can't get in?" I yell.
"There's something missing from this elevator," Raven says. "A key or a pin or something!"
"Can't you just break it down?" I ask loudly.
"No," she answers. "It's reinforced steel!"
I clench my hands and grimace. I look at the chain binding me to the pillar and look all the way up. It goes right through the ceiling. I think of the layout plan of Slade's hideout.
"Where is Cyborg?" I yell.
"In here with me," she says. "Why?"
"Cyborg, go to the main room and through the door on the left. There should be a giant pillar in the middle of the room. Slice through it and you'll see me!"
"I'm on it!" he yells.
I hear the elevator whir and sit back against the pillar. Raven and the rest of the Titans had arrived ten minutes ago. Evidently, he had left his robot guards to patrol the entrance. The Titans entered and the robots attacked. Raven, and Cyborg apparently, came down the elevator while Starfire, Robin and Beastboy fought.
"I can't believe this is happening," I mutter, burying my face in my hands again.
I hear a loud noise from above and look up. I see Cyborg looking down at me.
"How about we get you out of there?" he yells down.
I smile. But not for long.
The pillar crunches and starts to fall in my direction.
"Raven!" I yell.
"Azira Metrione Synthos!"
The pillar stops.
"Hold them off, Cyborg!" I hear as Raven swoops down into the basement.
She focuses on the chain and breaks it easily. She picks me up and flies to the hole. I grimace as I see the room. Robots are all over, attacking with unbelievable strength.
"Maybe we should get out of here," I suggest.
"You think?" Cyborg answers, firing his cannon.
I jump and stomp a robot and clear a path towards the door. We dash towards for it just as an emergency door starts closing. We make it with time to spare and head for the exit, calling for the rest of the Titans. We head towards the exit but…
"The gang's all here."
Slade appears in the entrance. He presses a button and the door shuts.
"Move away, Slade," Robin says, advancing. "We're not taking your crap anymore."
Slade chuckles and takes out his steel stick.
"How about we fight for your freedom?" Slade asks. "Just you and me, one-on-one, none of the others."
Robin looks towards the Titans, I'm standing apart from them. He looks at me and I shake my head. He looks angry and turns back to Slade.
"Fine, but here's the rules," he says.
Slade smiles.