Chapter Thirty-Four: "Strength in Numbers"

"What's going on?" Robin asked as he rushed in. Cyborg followed right behind him.

"Raven!" Cyborg shouted.

They ran to her side instantly.

"Beast Boy what happened?" Robin asked, resting his hand on Raven's shoulder.

"All I heard was her screaming in pain. I ran in here and she yelled out 'Starfire'." Beast Boy explained.

"Raven? Raven can you hear me?" Robin asked, his voice fading in Raven's ears.

Raven closed her eyes and fell silent.

--In Raven's Mind--

Starfire? Starfire!

Raven?

Starfire what happened? What's going on?

The shadow called Kayla stabbed me.

With what?

A small, sharp, silver knife.

That was a dagger Starfire.

Raven I'm in much pain.

I am too Starfire.

How?

We share my power. I'm connected to you. I feel what you feel.

I am bleeding badly.

Starfire, heal yourself!

I cannot.

Why?

I am unable to move.

Visualize yourself healing your wound Starfire.

I . . . I . . . I cannot.

Starfire you must! Think of Robin to give you strength!

Raven, it's taking to long.

STARFIRE CONSINTRATE!

Raven fluttered her eyes open to find herself in the infirmary room.

"She's awake!" Beast Boy shouted.

Cyborg and Robin rushed to her side.

"What happened?" Cyborg asked, stealing the words right out of Robin's mouth.

Raven glanced at her side, then up at the guys starring at her. She sighed before she started talking.

"Starfire was injured." Raven exclaimed.

"What!" Robin screamed.

"She's fine Robin. She healed herself." Raven calmly informed him.

"With what? How?" Robin wanted to know.

"She was stabbed by a silver dagger." Raven gave in and told him.

"No." Robin whispered.

"What is it man?" Cyborg asked Robin.

"The dagger, she died!" Robin's eyes widened.

"In your dream she died from it." Raven explained, "She's alive Robin. Otherwise I too would not be here."

"She's alive?" Robin asked unsure of what she said was true.

Starfire got up slowly, looking at Kayla with so much anger.

"This cannot be!" Kayla said, obviously shocked.

Keyda smiled in the shadows, glad that Starfire was alive.

"You will not win!" Starfire announced bravely.

Kayla screamed in frustration. She ran towards Starfire and blasting her with everything she had. Starfire simply used Raven's powers to wrap a shield around her, using all her energy to keep it from breaking.

Once Kayla stopped attacking Starfire blasted the shield into one giant shot and aimed it at Kayla. Kayla got hit by part of the blast, but disappeared into the shadows. Starfire raised one of her arms up, lighting up a hand as she did so. She glanced around, looking for Kayla.

Moments later Kayla came out of the Shadows and knocked Starfire to the ground. Starfire recovered quickly and tried to punch Kayla.

"Huh?" Starfire looked confused. Her punch went right through Kayla.

"You can't touch me. I'm a shadow." Kayla laughed. She resumed her solid state and punched Starfire in the face sending Starfire back to the floor. "No challenge at all." She mocked.

"You need to send me there now!" Robin demanded.

"I said no Robin. I'm not taking anyone there." Raven told him again for the millionth time.

"Raven!"

"Robin, she's not going to take you so quit askin'!" Cyborg shouted.

"I can't stand by and do nothing!" Robin yelled.

"Robin you're giving me a headache." Raven said calmly.

Beast Boy turned himself into a puppy and sat on Raven's lap. Raven gave a small, un-noticeable smile and petted him smoothly.

Starfire was beginning to lose again. Kayla was using her untouchable powers to avoid Starfire's attacks. Starfire couldn't touch or bring any harm to Kayla, but Kayla was doing a lot of harm to her.

Starfire screamed as she fell from her flying position. She landed on her side, and she was in tremendous pain.

Raven? Raven!

I'm here Starfire, what's wrong?

I can not defeat her.

Yes you can Starfire.

I can not. I have lost.

You haven't lost. Get up.

I'm in much pain.

Heal yourself.

It is a pain I can not heal Raven.

Starfire get up and I'll transfer my strength to you.

Raven got up from the couch and quickly went to her room. When she got through inside she sat in her meditation position.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos…" Raven chanted.

Raven how are you to do that?

Starfire get up.

Starfire slowly arose, bruises forming all over her body. Raven transferred all her energy, even her soul self into Starfire. Moments later they became one.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Starfire and Raven shouted.