Just a Dream takes place after Post Tenebras Lux. Again, I own nothing so knock yourself out if you want to sue me. As always, reviews are appreciated as I get back into the habit of fic-ing.
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"Why didn't you tell me?" Kid Flash's elevated voice was directed at Robin.
"I understand why you're upset but would it have made any difference?"
'Would it?' Silence was his only response.
Robin was becoming uncharacteristically irate. "She fought through it. She beat it once she can do it again if necessary." His breathing became shallow has his tone lowered but remained firm. "We don't even know what's really going on right now. Whatever it is, we have to stick together."
If looks could kill, the titans would be looking for a new leader. It wasn't that he felt betrayed by his new teammates – he felt as if they didn't trust him enough. If they kept this from him, what other secrets are they keeping?
In the shadows of the hallway, the hooded figure listened to the yelling. Words from the previous night echoed through her mind – I'll never leave you. As the commotion inside continued, Raven whispered, "It has to end."
When she reached her room, the doors slid open to reveal another hooded figure – this one clothed in white. "Mother?" Raven questioned unable to believe what she was seeing.
"My dear daughter." She turned to reveal her face. "It's time to go home."
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"I'm not going to turn my back on the team!" The argument continued. "And let me tell you… It's great to see how much you trust me!"
"Don't try to turn this around. You were the one who…" What did he do? Robin couldn't clear his head. His thoughts were jumbled and all he could remember was that his friend needed their help. "Look. We're not getting anywhere here. Let's go to our respective corners and cool off."
Wally's knuckles were white when he finally unclenched his fists. "Fine." He stormed toward the door pausing just before it opened. Without looking back he spoke, "I love her, Robin. All I'm asking is to be part of the team."
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Cyborg struggled with the air vent panel. "Stupid discount filters." He yanked the filter out causing dust to fly around the room. Coughing, he picked up the replacement only to see dust already falling off of it. "What the…" A sharp blow to his head caused the world around him to grow dark.
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Raven ran toward her mother who responded by taking a step back. "Raven, you mustn't be scared. You knew this would happen and you know what you must do."
"But I don't want to leave." She thought about her teammates, the kids… Wally.
"You're only hurting them." The eerily calm voice continued. "How many times must they suffer?" Moving into a circle drawn prior to Raven's arrival, she held out her hand. "It's time to go."
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"Gnarrk, it's just a toaster." His fear of technology was starting to get old. "See, the toast popped up. It's not going to hurt…" He ran out of the room before Beastboy could finish. "…you. Ehhh…"
"He has issues." Kole said with a half smile.
"But … a toaster?"
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The small blonde tapped on Raven's door. When no answer came she jumped up to hit the entry code. After several tries, the door slid open. "Raven!" White smoke surrounded the solitary occupant of the room.
Her head turned causing Arella's face to crumple in disgust. "Melv…" Her mother's hand shot out touching her forehead. At the same time, the doors slammed shut leaving the young blonde pounding to get in. Raven fell to the ground with a sickening thud.
"Leave her alone!" Panic stricken, she tried to pry the doors open. "Bobby, help me!" She pleaded as the tears began to flow.
Hearing the commotion, Robin ran toward the locked door. "Stand back!". With one swift kick, the box exploded and the doors swung open. He flipped open his communicator. "Titans, trouble! Get to Raven's room NOW!"
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Arms sore from rowing across the river, Terra hesitantly walked up to the tower. 'You owe him this much,' she told herself as walked up what seemed like an endless path. 'They won't make you stay. They don't want you to stay. How could they after what you did to them.' She noticed the garage door open and decided it may be better to start there. Beastboy was always with Cyborg when he was working on a new device. She smiled as she remembered the spectacle that always seemed to result from Beastboy's helping.
"Hello." She called meekly into the garage. A groan came from behind a rather large box. "Cyborg?" The voice was familiar. She heard another noise coming from the far end of the garage. "Beastboy?" The source of the secondary noise ran toward the exit. "SLADE!" Terra yelled and began the chase. However by the time she reached the shore, he was nowhere to be found. She hurried back to the garage.
She looked down Cyborg. His vision began to clear. "Terra?" He questioned. "What happened?" Trying to quickly sit up, the room began to spin. With his hand on his head clarity began to return to his mind. "What are you doing here?"
Terra didn't answer but helped him to his feet. "Come on, let's get you upstairs." 'So much for a quick goodbye.'
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Concerned looks focused on the unconscious figure. The last time she was in this position she was floating – trying to heal herself. This time… it was like she had just given up. Robin took her hand in his as sat on the edge of the bed. Kid flash sat on the nearby bed holding Melvin in his arms. Her tear stained face twitched as she sniffled. Robin's actions did not go unnoticed. Wally's eyes went back and forth between Raven's closed eyes and her now covered hand. Chastising himself for even thinking those thoughts he repositioned Melvin on his lap.
"She's going to be ok, right?" Beastboy questioned.
"She's strong." Robin stated. "We need to figure out who's behind this and she'll be alright."
"Then what are we doing just sitting here?" Wally gave a poor attempt at hiding his frustration.
"And what do you suggest?" Robin retorted.
The door opened to reveal Cyborg being partially held up by Terra. "He needs help."
Starfire ran over to lend more support than the exhausted Terra could give. Wally picked up Melvin – opening the soon to be filled bed. Beastboy remained frozen with his eyes fixed on Terra.
"It's Slade." Terra said before anyone could ask as she caught her breath.
"What?" Robin was in disbelief.
"I saw him run out of the garage." She leaned her hands on her knees still breathing heavily. "I couldn't catch him." Beastboy led her to a chair.
Still trying to fully regain his senses, Cyborg rubbed his head. "There's something in the air filters. Shut the vents and open the windows."
Placing Melvin down, the vents were closed and all the windows opened in the blink of an eye.
"Why didn't I see this earlier?" Robin said as the pieces began to fall into place. "He's used this technology before." Remembering the hallucinations he suffered from when he breathed in the dust from his mask, he gripped Raven's hand tighter. "We'll run a neuro-chemical scan on all of us."
"But if we all were exposed, why is Raven the only one who was knocked out?" Beastboy questioned.
"I don't know," answered Robin.
"Her room was the first to have the new filters installed." Cyborg charmed in. "After Timmy had his little accident on the vent." He shuddered as he remembered pulling out the dripping filter.
Robin shuffled through the cabinet and pulled out several masks. "Kid Flash, I need you to take out the filters. Starfire, when get gets them out, take them to the storage room on the second floor and seal it shut. Kole, go find Gnarrk and the other kids. Bring them back here."
"What are you going to do?" Kid Flash questioned. "I'm going to finish running the tests on Raven to figure out how to help her."
'So you're going to play her knight in shining armour?' He didn't want to leave her side. "I can do that."
"No. We need to get the filters out as soon as possible. We need your speed."
Debating for another moment, he reluctantly began his assignment.
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In the corner of the ceiling, a small camera recorded their every movement and transmitted them back to a dimly lit office. The monitor's light cast shadows across his unmasked face. "So slow, Robin. You never would have passed any test."