Chapter Five

Saturnine.

The sun was beginning to fall below the rim of the tower. The glowing golden orb melted into the deep rooted darkness. Gathering shadows swarmed, creeping with a subdue relieve. Logan was engulfed. His expression darken with pained thoughts. His sight deadlocked upon the heaving city, dowsed in a bleak state of apathy. In the distance the low thunder of vehicles pulsated on the outskirts of the city. The strong city current surging gently. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing exceptional.

So many people. So many, and I'm still on my own.

The boy sagged. Touching the tip of his brow lightly, he sensed the cool moisture travelling through his body. Pacing absolute. Fur tingled and twitched. The feverish pulsation. He felt his heartbeat rise. Logan bent down low, hand cupped over his face. Forehead pressing uncomfortably into his palms, pleading for the sensation to end. It refused, lingering over him like a reminder of the oncoming doom. A premonition. He knew it was coming.

...and I'm on my own..

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The pain was blinding. It came it severe waves. She winced, biting down hard upon her lip, releasing warm blood into her mouth. She wouldn't cry out. It wouldn't do any good anyway. The more she screamed the worse her torture would become. Her father like to see her in pain. He said in the end it would make her stronger. A sneer. Underneath his act Rose Wilson knew her father gain some sadistic pleasure.

She hated him.

His sleek sinister laughed echoed above her. "You should have easily evaded my act. Disappointing my darling, I shall have to punish you." Rose closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, awaiting that fatal blow that would bring her into the dark abyss and away from him. She waited. But it never came. Peeping cautiously, her mouth hung open in a dry gasp. Her father was gone. He had seemingly vanished.

Her reaction had shocked Rose. Seemingly to have forgotten that she was still a young child, still dependent upon her father, she felt the sharp sense of abandonment. Hot tears leaked down her pale face. "Daddy." She sobbed lowly. "Daddy don't leave me." All the hatred she had carried over the years dissipated abruptly.

Rose awoke with a start. She hadn't had that dream in such a long time, that she had to wonder whether it held any significance. Instantly her sharp mind snapped back into focus. The room she resided in was unfamiliar to her. As she studied the contents in search of some clues, she gathered a very simplistic decor. The way of the warrior. Seeing as how she was still alive, Rose assumed they meant her no harm. Nevertheless, Rose knew it would be wise to be on edge. Tossing the bedding aside, she noticed her missing armour, replaced with slender white pj's. The wound she had received earlier that day had been cleaned, and care for, tenderly wrapped with a fine white dressing.

It was then the dark cloaked figure appeared beside her. Rose was startled unable to hide her sudden surprise as the figure had emerged from no where.

"It is alright my child. "A woman's husky voice. "You are safe. I mean you no harm." Gliding across the floor, she stood before great dreary drapes. As she tugged them open a fresh lightening floated the room. Then she paused for a moment, as if lost in the tranquil setting. Then she turned and faced the young girl.

"You're dressing needs to be changed, do you mind?"

Rose was still slightly stunned. But she knew couldn't refuse. "No. I don't."

Azar disappeared. Returning shortly with a large blue bowl filled with warm water. Kneeling down beside Rose's laid body, she carefully extended her arms, peeling off the old dressing. Silence endued as Azar completed her task. "There." The woman spoke with approval. "All done."

Rose had to admit it did feel better. "Thank you." Azar nodded and rose to leave.

"No, wait please," Rose whispered, her voice was thick with meekness. Her eyes fluttered, refusing to meet Azar's stern gaze. Her normal aggression had been stripped in the presence of this woman. She had been reduced to a humble child. It annoyed her. Made her feel weak. She badly wanted to launch an attack, only then would she feel whole again.

"You have never been beaten before, have you." It wasn't a question.

Rose shock her head soundly. Head buried under a float of brilliant white curls. Naturally so.

"Failure is no reason to be discouraged. Will you allow it to devour you or will you learn from your failure, and grow?"

"I don't know how." Rose sense the pressure in her voice. She was beginning to break down. Her body juddered with a violent spell. Her fists clutched tightly. "I never fail."

Having moved towards the child's bedside, Azar bent down low. She hand resting lightly on her shaken shoulder, delicately using her own power to devour the girl fragile emotions. It was true that man was bound to their emotions. Often allowing them to take control. A clear mind, ridden of useless emotions such as regret or guilt, would aid the girl far greater, enable her to see the greater picture more clearly. As the woman drank her frustration, she was suddenly and strangely reminded of Raven. The same tight glare, the same unwillingness to share herself with others. Azar fought back a smile.

Pushing back her hair, Rose fronted a look of confusion, but felt somehow this woman was responsible. "What did you do?"

"I used my ability, my unique gift to help you. You do not need such thoughts of bitterness if you are to over come the gathering storm."

"The gathering storm? What's that?"

"You should know." She return a mystical glare. "Your gift should enable you to know the truth."

"My gift? I don't have a gift."

"Oh but you do!" A wisp of excitement. " You have just neglected it. Had your father realised that you possessed such a gift, I suspect he would have taught you all about it."

Father. Rose flinched at the word. Azar seemed to notice, but said nothing. Instead she continued with absolute certain. "You see Rose Wilson, you inherited the gift of foresight from your father. The ability to predict the actions of others before they are unleashed. Pre-natural senses that would give you knowledge of the senses. Correct me if I am wrong, but there have been times in battle when you have pre -guess you opponents acts?"

"Yes." She paused. "Is that why I have been so successful?"

Azar nodded. "The organisation that you work for knew your father, and the likelihood that you would possess that same skills as him. So they took you and train you to kill." Her tone was grim with disapproval. "Made you an assassin. And yet they had no idea of how far you are from your father's abilities. They assumed you would gradually grow into your powers, but what you truly needed was a teacher."

Rose took in every word with a slow tickle of horror. Staring into Azars darken eyes, Rose could see those she had trusted for their true intentions. They would train her, prepare her for death. For killing those she have never known before. All a test. All getting her ready for the next. Then the true, the ultimate goal. Her father. To her he would have been a stranger, just another face in the crowd. And the icy bitterness that she would never have known what she would have done. She screw up her face in disgust. A silent conviction that she would have her revenge.

"What reasons did they give you for killing Jericho?" A tingle of curiosity.

"No real reason." Rose shrugged like it was nothing. " He was just another target."

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It had been over a week since Slades attack. Robin was still on edge, as ever searching for answers. He hadn't been sleeping, but it didn't show. Starfire was gradually growing more concerned, and shut out as Robin grew increasing reclusive. Glumly she differed through the corridors seeking some mild amusement that might have taken her mind of being lovesick. She came to a halt outside of Raven's room. Unsure whether to knock or not. True Raven had changed slightly over the past few months, but she still treasured her privacy.

"Raven, may I come in?" The alien girl appeared strangely down. "I wish to engage with you in friendly conversation."

Raven eyes popped open. She gazed at her door, imagining Starfire standing at the other side, her downy face masked by a bleak expression. So unlike her. There was something on her mind, troubling Star's thoughts. Raven understood how sensitive Starfires people were when it came to there emotions, a small conversation would do her the world of good. Besides Raven guessed that it was about Robin anyway. After a moment, she relented. "Of course Star, close the door behind you."

Creeping into the other girls dark and dusty room, far the opposite to her own, Starfire plastered a fake smile upon her pump pink lips. "I am delighted so to see that you have made such a good recovery after Slade's vicious assault."

"Yeah." A slushy grin. "I'm glad too. But I don't think that's what you wanted to talk about, is it Star? You want to talk about Robin, right?

Starfire's face fell. But she didn't ask how Raven knew. "Yes. I am deeply troubled by his actions. He does not seem to want to let us in. Or me. It makes me feel sad when he excludes me. I wish that he were closer to me."

Raven watched Star hovering above her. Her head bent, rich red curls dripping over her beautiful face, concealing its radiance elegantly. She stiffed. How could Robin not know how Star was feeling?

"Have you told him this?"

"I try, but he never listens! Perhaps as Cyborg would say I am not saying it loud enough, yes?"

Star sighed. "I understand that he is busy with Slade… with you…" A ripple of jealousy. "I only wish that he would come to me. Robin should realise by now that he not alone. Not while he is a Titan."

She was right of course. Absolutely. Raven bowed her head. Perhaps it was time Robin stopped shouldering the entire teams responsibility. They were all in this together, were they not? She cast a long dreamy gaze over Starfires pallid appearance. Raven cleared her throat smoothly.

"If he won't listen, perhaps we should try an intervention?"

Starfire flashed a look of both confusion and slight fear. "What is a 'intervention'? Is it some form of punishment?"

Shaking her head gently, Raven managed to suppress a laugh. "No, not at all. It just where we all gathering and talk to Robin face to face about our concerns."

"Oh!" Starfire seemed to have brightened. Her eyes sparkled fainted hope. "And do you think that this would work, yes?"

Raven shrugged. "Not sure, buts its worth a try."

Instantly the alien had swung her arms around Raven's tight body. The soft warm of another against Raven still made Raven feel out of sorts.

"Thank you Raven." Starfire beamed, got up to leave but before she did, she added. "It is good to see you smile." With that she left.

Once submerged in darkness once more, Raven return to her book. She lingered between pages for a few moments, but found it impossible to concentrate. Why was that? She closed the book, stood and stretched her legs. The brief conversation with Star had disrupted her thoughts. Why? Why did they cause her so much discomfort?

Because they reflect my own relationship?

No, the half demon found herself pouting. Her conviction was ice clear. She had the one she loved, and he returned every inch of that love… didn't he? Yes, she was sure of it. But something had changed between them. Raven could feel it. A strange sort of dread clutched her. Like cold wet leaves clinging to her. A feeling she had once before…

The full horror came flooding back to her. She reached for her empty stomach but felt weighted by its hollowness. Dropping to the floor, she started weeping, unable to control it any longer.

This, their deceased child, was it all that had held them together?

The tears brought some relief. And some graduate that she could cry without the repercussions. She held her breathe, a sudden pang in her chest. She missed her child. Whilst trapped in this mist of sorrow she became aware of another presence in the room.

She was frozen. Her mouth dried. Her heart was thumping, pounding, it was on fire. She couldn't grasp her breathe.

God no! It can't be.

Her mind was in agony. Just turn around, she instructed herself. Just look and see that there is nothing there. Seized by a sudden stream of confidence, she turn to face her daemon.

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"Beast Boy, where have you been!" The robust Cyborg juddered towards Logan, a look of panic embedded within him disgruntle face.

The younger one gaze back with a unusual aloofness. "I was only on the roof."

"The roof?" Cyborg repeated. His eyes narrowed into a fine line. "Then why didn't you answer your communicator?" He waved his hands. "Whatever, it doesn't matter, we have to go." He swallowed. "Its Raven…she's been kidnapped."

"Oh." Logan whispered coldly. His eyes hit the floor. Raven. His heart skipped a beat just whispering her name. He felt himself warm, the deep indifferent lifting. Replaced with a heavy undercurrent of anger. "Where is she?" He demanded. "We have to save her!"

A sigh of relief from Cyborg. "Robin and Star are tracking her as we speak."

"Then what are we waiting for." The changeling morphed into a large green bird, grasping his friends board shoulders and lifted him into the air.

The Ravanger watched with a keen interest. Hidden from sight, he couldn't resist a coy smile. Tonight would be the night all changed. The Titans were about to get a brutal lesson in the game of life. One of which they might never recover from…

One could hope….

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SAVE SEASON SIX

DIT

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