Wounds of Filth

Chapter 7: Skeleton Key

By: DeathIsOnlyTheBeginin

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TEEN TITANS.

(Enjoy! Read and Review Please!)

Two slits of white glimmered through the stifling darkness, both shrinking and growing in their search. They crept along the emptiness with amazing skill, scanning the perimeter with an agile perfection so intense that they themselves didn't even realize they harbored it. Robin arched an eyebrow, forcing one slit to enlargen oddly, his gaze fixating defiantly upon the blind surrounds that seemed to be closing in on him. The atmosphere of the Tower hung about him heavily, its presence eerie and sinister; something wasn't right.

"Umm, Robin?"

Cyborgs voice registered with an agitated tone in the Boy Wonder's ears and he scowled, still intently searching the black features of their home.

"Shhhh..."

His leader's warning for silence was the robot's only reply and he sighed loudly, glancing up at the ceiling.

"Dude, you woke us up at 3 a.m. for this?" Beast Boy muttered groggily, his hands rubbing his eyes as to rid the clinging sleep that dwelled only to threaten them.

"Quiet." Robin snapped, his form crouching down as they made their way through the hall. Starfire was next to speak,

"Please, Friend Robin, may we go back to our rooms? My body longs for the bed of sleep."

"I said, quiet."

Their leader replied quite angrily and Starfire cast her eyes to the floor, silenced. The glow of 'Exit' signs cast an uncanny light over the door at the end of the corridor, its reach extending barely four feet before fading into darkness.

"Exactly what are we looking for, man?" Cyborg blurted with a whine, one hand rubbing the back of his head.

"Yes Robin, what indeed."

The Boy Wonder froze, his spine prickling as the hair on the back of his neck began to stand. The others behind him seemed to fall into a state much like his own, their eyes stretching wide before glancing about the room; Raven's sudden invasion of their discussion chilled the very blood within their thriving bodies to ice.

A screeching siren erupted through the building, ricocheting off the metal walls and into the Titans' awaiting ears, deafening them as red lights began to swivel. Insane laughter cackled along with the alarm, its pitch high and harsh to their ringing eardrums. Horde upon horde of Slade's driods dropped down around the team, fists raised and random weapons at the ready. Despite the putrid noise filling their senses, the Titans rushed into action, tackling bot after bot with power, might, and will.

Violet eyes watched from a safe distance, each sparking with humor at the scene taking place before their gaze.

Robin lunged and sent a sharp kick to the stomach of the android before him, ripping him in two. With a cry, he sunk to his knees a moment later, his arms suddenly locked behind his back. He breathed through gritted teeth as the unseen robot held him in place, another suddenly looming over him and dressing a syringe. He struggled with more vigor, his wandering eyes catching the sight of his comrades, each captured in likeness to himself. Robin glanced around, searching out she whom he knew lurked in the shadows; he could feel her.

"Raven! Show yourself you traitor!" Silence was all that replied to him and he roared, anger seething through his body, "RAVEN!"

The hold of his capture soon fell away yet, he didn't budge, soft arms slowly encircling his waist. The touch dulled his senses with its warm and horridly inviting enchantment. Long locks of plum colored hair brushed across his cheek as she placed her lips against the skin below his ear, kissing softly.

"Don't fret, Precious," she cooed, her voice seductive and whispering, "I'm here."

Her fingers worked their way down his sides, lightly massaging as she tugged him closer to her, the curves of her body pressing against his back. Robin fought the urge to groan, his breathing heavy from her ministrations.

"Raven, why are you doing this-"

"Shhh. Don't worry about that, Robin. Your safe," she continued, her beautiful lavender eyes flicking up to stare at the droid standing before them, "Safe from truth...and choice...and pain..."

Robin felt himself tense slightly, his vision catching sight of Starfire, her body writhing as she fought against the bot whom held her. Raven's chuckle tugged him back from his drifting, her wet lips sucking at the pulse in his neck.

"Such venomous demons are those of our own free will, wouldn't you agree? I can save you from them, Robin; but, only if you let me." she ran her tongue over the new bruise that was beginning to blossom upon the area she had just been kissing, "I can be the one to protect you from your enemies, and your own choices. You'll never have to decide again, Robin. The burden of holding their fate in your hands will be lifted from your shoulders -if only you are to join us."

Robin locked eyes with her and she smiled softly, trickery twinkling within the swirling depths of her lovely irises.

"Join us, and I can save you," She glanced down, a pretty pout upon her lush lips, "Save you...from yourself."

Starfire suddenly shrieked, the long, steal stem of a shot digging through her arm and releasing its contents into her form. Beast Boy and Cyborg joined in like a chorus, their screams recoiling through their home. Robin's eyes flew to the agony trodden forms of his friends and Raven scowled, bearing her daemon like teeth. Quickly, she bent her head and sunk them through his large, forming bruise; she listened contently as he hollered in pain, her eyes flashing red and separating into two pair -

Robin jolted up in his bed, a silent scream upon his face as his dark bangs lay plastered to his forehead by sweat; said substance trickled down the base of his neck, along with the bare flesh of his back. With a shaking hand the Boy Wonder wiped the perspiration from his brow line, saving his eyes from the burning salt. He relaxed slightly.

"What a dream..."

The scared tone in his voice was extremely foreign to his ears and he frowned slightly, his hand dropping back into his lap. His legs sat in pretzel formation beneath the thin white of his sheets, the black, gold and red comforter long since kicked to the messy floor. He turned his eyes to the ceiling and sighed; they needed to find Raven soon, before Slade broke her...just as he had broken him. Robin shook his head; who knew what that sick bastard was doing to her.

A pair of deathly silent lips parted in a muted scream, teeth creeping into view as disturbing sweat dewed upon the shrieker's brow line. Violet hair lay in clumps around the young woman's face, the tresses slick with perspiration and the aura of despair as she hung limply in her bonds. Raven relaxed and inhaled deeply, the action wavering and desperate in the still, eerie room. Her entire body shook and thrashed, her pupils fully dilated as she searched out for something unknown. The moments seeped on and the broken Titan eventually surrendered to the will of exhaustion, her lack of blood taking a tole on her senses.

Raven groaned, the feeling of fresh blood was heavy as it trickled down her arms, the result of her previous struggle. She cringed as it soaked into the shinny fabric of her ruined leotard, a small chill running up her body as the stale air lapped at the ruby mess hungrily. She sighed darkly, her chains ringing with her slight administrations; her form rocked back and forth on her toes, the said digits, which barely touched the floor, her only support spare the shackles.

The images of her own twisted existence left a bitter taste to run in Raven's mouth, fear etched within every cavern of her soul. She was weak and her father was using it to his advantage the only way he knew how; by invading her mind. Raven shivered, her fright welling up inside of her as she rested in her defenseless position.

In attempt to rid herself of her easily succumbing fear, Raven tried to focus on something more pleasant; she thought of her friends. Hurt exploded in her chest with their memory, the fact of their still not saving her stinging harshly against her core. An odd idea suddenly snapped within the dark cave of the avatar's mind, its queer notion doubted severely yet still enticing. Raven sighed and dipped her head, black power swarming her body; it wouldn't hurt too badly to try.

Red X closed the door to Raven's cell and leaned against it brokenly, his breathing hard as his mind ran over the events that had just taken place. A large amount of strange guilt clawed with ugly fingers at his chest, ripping everything from pride to self-respect from his conscious. He sighed shortly, his suit seeming to weigh down upon him, its hot interior forcing him to sweat slightly. Thoughts of the girl inside stole his mind, the single bulb above him casting an accusing glow upon his body; time ticked by slowly, menacingly.

"Something the matter, boy?"

X jumped, shock gripping his heart as he turned, wide eyes, to the man suddenly beside him. How long had he been standing there watching him? How long had he himself been standing here, thinking? - He didn't know. Slade eyed him with negligence, his only visible iris reflecting his boredom.

"No, sir."

Robin cast a brown eyed, stern glance to his clock, reading the numbers blandly as they leered at him; 4:03. He groaned and glanced back to his door; every minuet that ticked by was another without her there; without her home. Suddenly, two arms draped over his shoulders and loosely wrapped round his neck, the sweet scent of lilac and insence wafting into the air and through his senses. Robin tensed, swallowing hard; such a scent only belonged to one person.

"Robin listen," they whispered, their voice strained and echoing slightly, "We haven't much time so pay attention. I won't be able to repeat anything."

Robin swallowed, nodding,"...Raven."

Slade nodded stiffly at the boy before him, his gaze never wavering, "Did you do as I asked?"

"Yes, sir."

Robert could feel anger beginning to spark beneath his skin, his fingers curling into fists by his sides. Whether Slade saw this or not, he wasn't sure, for the elder made no indication.

They stood in silence for a few moments, each watching the other with an unspoken disliking. His mentor suddenly indicated for him to move, his eye narrowing in anger and surprise at the small window, which sat in the middle of door behind him. Robert refused; this man would harm that girl no more. Slade growled low in his throat at the act of defiance and threw the thief aside,

"This is far bigger than the likes of you, boy!" he snarled, his fingers flying to the handle.

Slade twisted it and felt it click open; feeling a rush of triumph, he shoved. A surge of dark energy wrapped round his arm and threw him from the door, his armored body smacking into the wall. Black power surged up and buzzed round the frame of the door, shedding odd light upon the dark hall. The villain lifted himself and ran back to the door, panicked he peering inside. Raven's form hovered high above the floor, her wrists still bound and her hands down, the fingers of which sparking with energy.

Gray zapped and crackled around her body and the torture weapon's of his choice suddenly flung at the door. The blades of both daggers and razors stuck into the steal of the make, the handles shaking slightly from the surging electricity within.

Robin's mind swam with questions, their origins reaching far beyond any sense. His eyes locked onto the small hands linked in front of his chest and Raven pressed up against him tighter, her short hair brushing against his ear as she whispered,

"Robin, I need you to find me," She begged, her voice hitching slightly, "It's imperative to the world that you do."

"Raven," Robin replied softly, his voice meek, "I'm trying..."

Raven sighed into him, her chest rising and falling against his back, "You must try harder."

"I know," Robin replied, frightened by the immense fear residing within his own voice. The emotion swirled and twisted inside of him, wringing him dry of anything but; such feeling was too immense to belong solely to himself. It was then that he realized, "I-I can feel your fear."

Raven nodded, her breathing coming in harsh pants, "Robin..." She swallowed hard, her words hot upon his skin, "I need you to know..."

His eyes widened in horror; her voice was fading slightly and her embrace diminishing along with it.

"The prophecy...Robin...The bad things...you need to know...what they are..."

Slade slammed his fist upon the door, the inscription upon his forehead glowing brightly with his rage. Red X lay in a crippled unconsciousness at his feet as the elder villain battled on, the dark light within the room glowing brighter.

The daemon slave starred in at the thriving power source within the cell, his eye stretching wide in fear as she turned to glare at him. Raven's eyes blazed with alabaster brilliance, her teeth gritted as seething hatred for the man watching her poured from her being and into her prison's atmosphere; the door began to shake.

Slade struggled with the shuddering entry, throwing his weight against it until the hinges began to whine.

Raven gasped behind him and Robin reached up, clasping her hands in his own. She shuddered against him, the light next to him flickering between on and off. He listened as she sucked in an irregular breath, its entirety hollow and rasping.

"I can't," she whined softly, her voice tight and mind stirring. 'But be cautious, for she will find you before you find the key.'

Robin felt the heart within his chest race with fear for her well-being as she collapsed against his back, her breathing shallow.

"Raven?" he cried, worry lacing his voice; he received no reply. The hands he held in his own suddenly vanished, along with the unconscious head upon his shoulder.

Slade roared with force as the door finally gave and he fell with it to the floor. The sound of knife handle's scrapping and blades bending against the floor met his ears and Raven's power suddenly died, her form falling back to the tile, chains rattling.

Slade clattered to his feet and dashed over to her, taking her chin in his hand and wrenching her up to look at him.

"What have you done!"

Raven's eyes, both violets dazed and glossy, studied the villain before her oddly. Escaped energy softly buzzed within the room, its essence peculiarly surrounding the feuding pair.

"The key..." Raven whispered, her depths blurring with tears as their rims stretched wide. Slade growled and lifted his free hand, only to bring it down upon her cheek sharply. A loud clap rang throughout the room, reverberating off the walls and swallowing the duet whole.

"What have you done!" he repeated screaming, his eye wide with furry as he gripped her chin harder. Raven winced, the cold metal of his gloves digging into her skin, the rough edges rousing blood. She watched her world spin, violet hair rimming the sides of her vision as it slipped away to darkness.

Slade roared with rage as her head fell limply to the side in his palm, sweaty plum hair cascading towards the floor. Fright shivered within his being, the though of his master's punishment weighing heavily upon his mind as he let her head fall. Trigon would not tolerate failure of his plans.

Robin flung himself from his bed, the sheets floating to the floor as he dashed to his closet. Not minding the significance of the papers he stepped on and tore, nor tidiness, he tugged on a clean uniform. Sweat mingled upon his skin as he dashed about his room, his fingers snatching his mask from his nightstand right before he fled the room.

Raven was right; finding her was imperative.

1/14/2011:

For writers everywhere, I just want to give a heads up to ANYONE who reads any really old story by me and then feels the need to leave a ridiculous, anon review and rant like some child about how dreadful they think it is - I don't care what you think about anything, so don't waste my time. I'm just going to delete your flame anyway, so you might as well not bother to leave it - however, if you must insist upon posting one, I wish you happiness in your futility.

That being said, if you flame - SIGN IN instead of just popping on here like some coward and trying to rip me up over something I wrote AGES ago (ha!). If you flame and then refuse to sign in and offer up your own writing to back your mouth up, keep your mouth closed. I wrote this story 6 years ago. It's an old, amateur, raw piece of work, and I know that. I was only 14 when I started it - but for 14, I did a damn good job.

It's comical that you think you can judge someone's writing capabilities on the shortcomings of their 6-year-old pieces of work - honestly, that just cracks me up. You should know that despite your high opinion of yourself and your obvious belief that I need your "expertise", I'm just laughing at you. I do not need your praise or acknowledgment to validate myself as a writer, and I don't need your dimwitted, ignorant advice. I write very well and I know it. God bless.