Chapter 5:

Sick Cycle Carousel

The logo was written in half Japanese, half English, on top of a black, red, and white logo of a diamond with the Japanese wording on it. I stood up and asked Ariel, "Shin-ra? Just where the hell is Slade getting this stuff? And what the hell is the local electric company doing manufacturing robots?"

"Whoa… I'll never look at Duke Energy the same again," Beast Boy said in amazement.

Everyone gathered around the metallic corpse. Ariel crossed her arms, lost in thought. She shook her head after a few moments and motioned to continue, "Let's go." Everyone began to pull away and jump off the stage. We began to walk towards the empty streets, thinking of the fastest way to get to Star Labs in Metropolis.

"We really need the T-Car," Cyborg said. "But there's no way we'd be able to fit everybody in it. Besides, I just washed that thing, with Raven going on killing sprees…"

I cut him off, "Don't push it. Ariel, back before the park, something came over me."

Without looking at me, she said, "Your anger broke loose, didn't it?"

"Yes… the sword took control; my powers went wild… what happened?"

"Unfortunately Raven, I am unable to provide you with a clear explanation on how it happens," Ariel said. "But, I do know that when your emotions are put to the test, the Masamune blade will do what's necessary to get you out of an impossible situation, no matter how large the foe or how numerous they are. By the way, any blood on it?"

"No, why?"

"Well, at least we know one myth proves true."

"I'm concerned about the woman who speaks to me in my meditation. Since you seem to know everything, what can you tell me about her?"

Ariel shook her head, "Nothing right at this time. We've got more important matters ahead of us."

I stopped in my tracks, "Fuck it, I want to know just what the hell this has to do with ME."

Everyone stopped and turned back to me.

"Why does it have to be ME, why couldn't it be anyone else! Huh? That's all I want to know. Why am I drawn to this Goddamn thing!"

Ariel stepped up and smacked me across the face.

"Now you listen to me, and you listen to me good," Ariel commanded, looking down at me. "First off: never use the Lord's name in vain like that again. Secondly: why not you? You're always wanting to turn out for the better, but the second a chance comes along, is this what you do? You spend all day complaining about it? Thirdly, in case you haven't noticed, we have to deal with things one at a time. This means that while the voices inside your head are important, they are not on my priority list right now. Understand!"

I didn't speak. The side of my face hurt like a bitch, though. Ariel turned about-face and continued onward.

"We need to find something big… something that'll get us there fast," she said. Suddenly, she turned around quickly, "Which one of you can drive a stick?"

Cyborg shrugged, "I can. What do you have planned?"

Ariel pointed to an abandoned semi tractor trailer parked in the outside of a traffic jam.

Robin said, "It seems the whole city's been rounded up. I wonder how long it'll take the government to notice that this place has been shut off."

Ariel shook her head, "I don't know, but we don't have that much time. Everyone, into the cab!"

We ran up to the long-nose semi-truck. It was a dark blue color, one of the old Mack trucks; the logo on the side was that of a national distributor. Cyborg opened the doors to the fifty-three foot trailer, saying, "It's empty! Y'all hop in and cover our back!"

Robin hopped up into the back of the trailer with Beast Boy. Starfire and Ariel climbed up next. "You ridin' up front, Raven?" Cyborg asked me.

I nodded, "I guess so."

We shut the doors to the trailer and walked up towards the cab. We climbed up the steps and into the giant truck. I fastened my seatbelt as Cyborg felt around the ignition for a set of keys.

"Here we go," he said.

The mighty Mack truck cranked and roared. Cyborg shifted into gear and began to take off. I sat back into the padded leather seat as we maneuvered our way around the unmanned cars and trucks. "You okay?" Cyborg asked me.

I ran my fingers through my hair, "Yeah, why?"

"You just have that 'look,' that's all."

"I'll be fine."

I think.

"It'll be about half an hour before we get to Metropolis. This thing wasn't made for speed. Might as well make yourself comfortable."

I agreed and pulled my hood over my head. I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes, meditating. With luck, I could actually have a complete conversation with my mystery girl.

I must've fallen asleep. Otherwise, she wouldn't be talking to me.

"Hey! Are you there!"

I looked around the void, calling out, "Yeah! Where are you!"

"What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Say, who are you?"

"No, not now… you'll find out later. Right now, you need to worry about Slade."

"I've been told that."

"We'll meet, soon… but for now, you need to stop Slade, if you can!"

"What? What're you talking about, we'll meet? Who are you!"

"Take care, Raven…! I know you can do it…!"

"I know you can't," Slade's voice said.

I gasped and looked around as the white void turned black. Slade came out of nowhere and approached me.

"Because, Raven, you are still immature, inexperienced, and definitely not leadership material. You may wield the most powerful weapon on the planet, child, but you do not possess the skills and discipline it takes to make it effective. I doubt you and I will get to do battle. But if we do… I'll be looking forward to it."

I flipped Slade off.

"Get the hell out of here," I snapped.

He laughed, "Such spunk. I like that. Your trip to Star Labs is fruitless, Raven. We will take what we need; there's nothing you or Ariel can do to stop us."

"Who is the girl that keeps contacting me! SAY!"

"Her? Nothing more than, what do you call it, pain in the ass? She will be dealt with soon personally. My apprentice needs to get his hands dirty in other important matters, namely encountering the Teen Titans. Oh, look at the time, Raven; I hope you've slept well."

I shot up in the seat, drenched in sweat. Cyborg was fumbling with the air conditioner controls. Both windows were down as we crossed over into the outskirts of Metropolis, minutes away from Star Labs. He noticed I was awake: "Oh good, you're up. Sorry for the heat – this thing's A/C sucks."

I nestled back into my seat, "Its okay."

Cyborg looked over, "You alright?"

"I thought you asked me that earlier?"

"I did, but you were mumbling in your sleep."

I shrugged it off, "It's nothing, trust me."

"Whatever you say," he said. "We're almost there."

Suddenly, Cyborg slammed onto the brake and shifted into a lower gear. My body was thrust forward as the truck jack-knifed, bringing the trailer perpendicular to the cab. The squeal of all eighteen tires echoed throughout the whole valley area outside of Metropolis. When we finally stopped – we skidded about fifty feet – I turned to Cyborg, "What the hell is it!"

Cyborg pointed out his window, "LOOK!"

I looked out to see two of the enormous dragons, like those back on the rooftop of the science facility. These were red, fire-breathing, extremely pissed creatures. Taking on them would require an elite team.

"I'll be right back," I said.

Cyborg protested, "Raven! Wait!"

I reached behind the seat, picked up my sword, and slid out of the truck. I walked around the truck and approached the menacing opponents. The dragons' fiery green eyes lit up with rage as I came within flaming distance. I brought up my sword and prepared to battle. I glanced back at the truck and teammates: everyone stood, watching, waiting. The mighty creatures let out their fire attacks, scorching every living thing around me. I used my powers to put up a shield to protect me from the flames. Once they had completed their attack, I striked. I ran towards the dragons and leapt onto the back of one. It's counterpart took a snap at me with his blood-thirsty jaws. I leapt out of the way, high into the air, before coming back down with my Masamune pointed towards the ground. I drove the sword through the neck of one of the dragons. It let out an extremely loud yell before slumping over, creating a small earthquake. The other backed up, preparing to practice it's "Scorched Earth" policy. I screamed, "ICE!" A giant flurry of hail began to swirl around the dragon before coming together inside of the beast. The razor-sharp shards cut through its rigid skin and into its internal organs. It fell to its knees before I cut its head off. Its body convulsed for a few moments before falling over like the others.

I stood there, panting. Sweat poured off me like the top of a waterfall. I took off my cape to help alleviate the extreme heat I felt as I walked back to the truck. Everyone was still standing outside of the cab, all awestruck with my newfound abilities.

Starfire, out of the blue, hugged me hard, saying, "Raven, are you well?"

Robin spoke up, "Raven, back there… we've never seen you act like that before. How did you learn how to do that?"

I wiped my brow, "Does it matter?"

"Well, no, I guess it does not," Starfire replied.

"We must go," Ariel stated. "Star Labs is not far from here. Let's move, people!"

On that note, we began our trek into outer Metropolis.

Somewhere, Slade could be heard laughing.

We walked through the small industrial section of Metropolis. Army trucks and vehicles littered the streets as people were evacuated left and right, ordered into single lines and identified. No signs of the black and bronze-colored sentries back in Jump City were visible.

"Wonder what's going on," Beast boy asked aloud.

Cyborg agreed, "Yeah man, I know. I don't like the way this looks."

Ariel waved down a National Guard truck full of people. The driver stuck is head out of the window, "Are you with the Titans?"

She yelled back, "Yes! May I ask where you're going?"

"Metropolis is being evacuated! We're taking these people southward! We can't get in touch with Jump City, do you know what's up over there!"

"I'm sorry, I don't know either! Thanks!"

The soldier nodded and waved to us as he drove on by. The families and other passengers looked onward at us as they rode on, bewildered at the immediate vacation from their homes. Some children pointed at started yelling at my sword. I didn't look at them; instead, I kept walking. After walking for a couple of blocks, Star Labs came upon us.

All was quiet.

I walked forward to the stone building. Under the covered entryway, the glass and doors were still in tact. I turned to look back. In the distance, a small fleet of United States Army Abrams M-1 tanks formed a line patrolling the streets. Slade had done something to capture national media attention. Wish I had a television.

We approached the glass door. I pulled it open gently; the cold air from inside spilled out into the evening warmth. I went inside first, followed by Robin, Starfire, and Beast Boy. Cyborg and Ariel brought up the rear.

"Where do you think Jenova's located?" Robin asked.

Beast Boy piped in, "No clue. Should we split up and search?"

"What do you think, Raven?"

I looked around the reception area for any suspicious activity.

"Where is everybody?" I asked.

"They probably got evacuated by the military. I don't see any beasts or anything; we should be all right," Robin said.

"'Should' and 'will be' are two different things, Robin. I'll go alone. The rest of you stick together," I commanded.

He protested, "Whoa, Raven, are you sure that's a good idea? What if Slade corners you?"

"She'll be fine," Ariel said. "Some things she has to do alone."

"That's an order, Robin," I reaffirmed.

Robin stood still before nodding, accepting my position on the matter.

"Please use the communicator if you find Jenova," Starfire said. "I worry greatly."

The team departed from me and began to explore the lower branch of the facility. When they were out of earshot, I muttered, "Me too." I floated upward and into the second floor labs. Something was drawing me there…