I'm updating! I've gotten a lot of reviews saying they want me to update and for the moment I was concentrating on Training School but I'm writing this chapter anyway. Enjoy! (as much as possible)
Hologram Room
"You will be demonstrating your abilities to rely on your partner and use each other's strengths in battle. Your effort will be graded." Zatanna informed the Titans. Beast Boy and Starfire burst into the Simulation Room, dejection spreading across their faces. The Tamaranian mumbled sincere apologies while the vegetarian attempted to hide his frame behind her more slender one. The JLA trainers all looked to Flash for they were his responsibility.
"Um…" Beast Boy was at a loss for words, but soon came to the conclusion that with Flash as their overseer, their punishment would not be severe.
"For being late, you grade is automatically dropped three levels." Wonder Woman clarified. Beast Boy's mouth hung open for several seconds until Starfire bobbed away with her chin pressed against her collarbone.
Zatanna waved her hand in the air and the room was illuminated. Although, after their eyes had adjusted, it was more like a box. With no markings or objects located anywhere, it seemed they were all in solitary confinement.
"Everyone else will be in the observation room." Batman nodded towards the ceiling and in the top left corner was a smaller cube with a rectangular viewing window.
"That wasn't there a second ago." Bumblebee whispered to Aqualad and he nodded silently.
"If you do not score the appropriate marks, I'm afraid you will be eliminated." Flash said suddenly and every jaw dropped. It was just the first day and someone would be going home. Someone would lose out on their dream. It didn't seem fair at all.
"We're going in alphabetical order of team captains. That means Batman's teamis up first." Zatanna smirked and Raven returned her smile for a millisecond and returned to her stoic expression. The magician quirked an eyebrow and Raven stood her ground. Nightwing noticed the interaction between the two and had to stop it before an injury occurred.
"Do we start immediately?" He asked, receiving no one's attention except the Amazonian goddess.
"Yes, you start now. Good luck." Wonder Woman and her fellow testers started for the area under the observation room and the others curiously followed. Batman looked back to his group which could probably be interpreted as: 'Don't mess up.' When the mass was collected, lines of light formed around them on the floor in a square and they were lifted safely to the deck, except for Beast Boy, who stumbled off and was caught by Superman.
"You ready?"
"I always am." Raven responded meekly. She seemed to be shut off from the world. Her amethyst orbs were covered in deep concentration. The floor shifted without warning and the pair were enveloped in darkness.
'If you need me, I'm here.'
At first he was startled from the sudden sound of Raven's voice in his mind, but they had been here before, in this situation. She had been in his mind, seen through his eyes so many years ago, and now that bond they had created was strengthened. Flashes of a tall, slender woman with dark hair and monks surrounding her, a white-haired, red-skinneddemon twice the size of the world's tallest skyscraper, and him… as Robin and then as the dark vigilante he had transformed into, all sped by his eyes. They both could use the advantages of the link. But how long was its list of abilities?
The light slowly faded in again to reveal a rough terrain. Above them was a blood red sky blending in with the gray horizon. There were many faults on the surface and human bones. It looked as if nothing could thrive on this place. To Raven, it was vaguely familiar. Probably a copy of a dimension that were catalogued in the tomes of Azarath.
"You are on a simulation of Kranstal. A deserted dimension in the Uron galaxy." Batman spoke over the intercom, and suddenly was gone as quickly as it had come.
'Gee, that was a lot of useful information.' Nightwing thought sarcastically.
'I've heard of this place. It is… odd that they have such details on it. It is information that one can only get from the historians that used to live here.' Raven reached for a rock nearby and it was cold to the touch.
'Do you know what we can expect?'
'If their illusion is anything like the reality, be prepared for the worst.'
Nightwing felt something move behind them, and through their link Raven did as well, but before they could react they were struck across their backs. Nightwing twisted around and landed in a crouch, facing their assailant while Raven stopped herself just inches from the ground. She swung around and almost puked the chamomile tea she had for breakfast.
'I normally love it when I'm right.' The empath and her partner prepared for attack from the abomination that was at least two feet taller than Cyborg. Its flesh resembled stale chocolate pudding that was dripping from its skeleton. There were no eyes, no nostrils, no mouth, just indentures where they should be. Its arms ended in slimy versions of sledgehammers before mutating back into long, pointy phalanges.
The monster charged with unnatural speed and Raven took off into the air, attacking with boulders that scattered the plain as the former boy wonder hacked away at their opponent with his bo-staff below.
At first, the dynamic duo were in control of the battle until it roared and an orange mucus-like substance began oozing from the holes in its skin. The goo splattered with every move it made; consequently, it covered the pair. The slime tickled their skin through their uniforms but the sensation was disregarded as they continued to fight. Wisps of smoke started rising from the material of their suits and minute holes were forming.
Nightwing was halfway through a vertical slash when his extremities began burning intensely. He fell to the ground, trying to wipe off the substance but it clung to him stubbornly. Raven was still going, fighting through the pain with her contaminated cloak crumpled in a heap under her. She kept the monster's attention, waiting for her partner to recover but when his pain started to intensify her own, she summoned as much power as possible and hurled their adversary into one of the faults.
The telepath dove down and flew to his side. She was frantically trying to clean off his skin but the burning only increased in her hands. Most of the chemical was lying on the ground after Raven, in a sudden burst of impatience, used her mind to separate it from him and small bits still remained.
Their 'test' had climbed its way up and was dashing towards them. Raven barely had enough notice to create a dome of dark matter to protect them. The shield cracked as it and the monster collided heavily but the purple-haired mage managed to reinforce it.
'Fight through the pain, Richard. Remember it is only a test. It isn't real.'
'Like hell, it isn't real!' Nightwing shouted in frustration.
'Calm down. This is nothing but a simulation. It's your pain, your mind, your ambition to win. Get up!' Raven thought to him logically but time was going out because with the burns and the monster banging on the dome was breaking her concentration. The loud thuds the creature was making were irritating her to no end and her normal, eerie white glow brightened in her eyes. In an instant, the shield tripled in size, tossing their test on its back.
'Richard, shut off your mind. It shouldn't be too hard for you to do.' The spell caster mocked despite that they were in the midst of a pretty difficult situation. He smirked back at her and she knew that look. It said that she'd be paying for that comment later. Nightwing pushed himself up, taking Raven's hand and pulling her up as well.
'How about a plan, partner?' She asked, seeing the monster get back on its feet.
'Use the banishment spell you used on Beast Boy that time at breakfast.'
'I'll need time.'
'I'm the master of providing time.' He sprinted towards the creature, leaving Raven to perform her spell.
'More like the master of wasting it.' She commented and it wasn't long before she heard: 'I heard that, Rachel.'
Nightwing was careful to avoid the slime as he attacked evasively. (I think I used that wrong.) The monster was fast but soon its movements became predictable for him. Flip, dodge, slash, flip, dodge, slash, had been proven useful for the Titans' leader and it was now his pattern. Every so often, he would look back to see Raven muttering with a blue glow flaming from her hands. She seemed… ethereal and so peaceful in battle that it was astounding. He wondered how she could be so comfortable when she was fighting for her life. Suddenly, her words were being shouted.
"Ah'kum, shalrakin, fumpar, elusha, CRENSTA!"
Nightwing jumped to his left to avoid the blue sphere that hurled itself into the fighting glob. A hole formed in its abdomen and it didn't seem to work until the hole began to suck in the rest of its flesh, then its skeleton, and finally it was gone. All that was left was the hole which was rotating slowly in midair.
Richard strolled over to Raven, as if the last ten minutes hadn't occurred, and smiled. She rolled her eyes and waved a hand dismissively into the air and the hole disappeared. Her lavender locks were partially covering her face and he raised a hand to tuck them behind her pale ear. He placed his hand on her cheek that was still flushed from the fight.
"I shouldn't ask you since I did most of the difficult work but… are you alright?"
"I banished the monster and half of the time you were in such intolerable pain that you couldn't get off your ass and you did most of the difficult work?" Raven stated sarcastically.
"Yeah…you're okay." The room darkened again and they were back in the bare cube.
"Join us up here, please." It was Batman again.
"Let's go see how high we scored, shall we?" Nightwing grabbed her hand and pulled her to the platform.
"You're too cocky for your own good." The sorceress folded her arms across her stomach and looked up at him as the floor elevated them.
"You know it." He whispered when they had reached the deck.
"You could have done better from what I observed. That should have been completed much more quickly." The Dark Knight said immediately. Nightwing knew more than to expect praise but…damn, they had no idea what they were fighting AND had gotten injured in the process.
'Shoulda, coulda, woulda. We did good considering, you jackass.' Raven thought and Nightwing had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing at her temper.
"And?" She continued out loud.
"Her reactions were slow and he did okay in my opinion." Zatanna added her input.
"Your opinion was not asked for….oh, I forgot….ma'am." Raven got a few shocked expressions tossed her way and also a few snickers.
"But I decided to give it anyway, Falcon, because I am your superior."
"In what ways do you assume so?" Raven asked in a WAY too deadly voice.
"That's enough. Your scores are as follows: 8 in strategy, 9 in synchronization, 8 in timing, 10 in teamwork, and 7 in speed. Your average score is 8.4. Good work. This is all you'll be doing today so go to the med hall and get yourselves checked out." Wonder Woman instructed and Raven shook her head.
"That won't be necessary. Can we not watch everyone else be tested?" She asked, knowing that her healing powers would be all they would need.
"No. I advise…demand that you be healed now because the toxin you were exposed to causes infection." Batman said sternly and saw Zatanna staring at the empath with hatred in her eyes. Somehow, the Caped Crusader knew that someway, sometime, one of them would start a fight that would end in disaster. The birds nodded and exited after Raven sent one more glare to the magician.
Richard was lying on his back on his bed, almost completely bare except for the towel tied around his waist. He had just gotten out of the shower, making sure to rid his body of anyforgotten goo, and Raven had her hands on his chest, the normal light blue glow radiating from them.
Her eyes were closed, her brows knitted together in a frown. He knew she was still angry about her conflict with Zatanna. Ever since the two had met, hostility was promised between them. There was an unspoken hatred and no one ever knew why, unless you were the man to which the telepath told everything to. Raven's delicate hands slid from his form and she fell back onto the bed with a frustrated groan.
"Rae-"
"I'm fine, Richard." She cut him off, already knowing his question.
"Yeah, like I'm going to believe that."
"You had better. I hate her, she hates me. I'm bound to hold a little antipathy for the woman. It's nothing and nothing means nothing. So drop it, please."
He sat up and stared at her even though she refused to break her gaze with the ceiling.
"Stop looking at me, Rich." There it was, the 'Rich.' The name she used when she was hiding something. She was unaware that she said it at times. He didn't know why she even bothered to keep these from him. It only took a few minutes of bugging her and she cracked.
"I don't feel like blinding you right now so if you could please pluck your eyes out of their sockets, I'd be much obliged." Raven threatened but he still kept his eyes where they were and had no intent of plucking nor moving them any time soon.
"Damn it all! What do you wish for me to say, huh Richard? What do you want me to do so that you'll get off my back?" Screaming was another thing she did when attempting to throw him off course.
"I want you to say that it still bothers you when someone holds it against that you're half-demon." Nightwing replied without hesitation. At times the woman could really scare people, him for example, but the glare he was receiving slowly dissipated as she admitted it.
"Fine. It does a little. You happy?" She sat up to hug her knees and look him directly in the eye.
"Yes, I am. Saying it makes you feel better."
"You sound like a shrink."
"Of all the people in the world, you need one the most." The tension was gone again with so little words and was replaced with their playful tones.
"This coming from the man who puts on black tights and a mask and jumps from rooftop to rooftop. Oooo, I'm convinced." She had hit under the beltwith that sarcastic comment and he pounced. She yelped in surprise as he gripped her wrists and pinned her down with his larger form.
"Get off, Grayson!"
"No, Roth!" He copied her squeal and she laughed. His hold on her loosened and he rolled off nevertheless. He pulled her closer to him, his chest against her slender back, and ghosted his lips over her cheek.
"I think I've told you this at least five hundred times already but …I love you."
"I love you too… but every day the reason why is becoming less apparent."
Did you see that coming? I didn't. At least not so early. I had this chapter partially completed when I started typing and the rest just flowed out.
Reviews:
xino- Thank you and I have the same concept of flamers.
Poison Tonic LX- I've thought about betas but for some reason never get around to it. I procrastinate as you can tell from the lateness of this chapter. But thank you for your offer.
spiracle- I'm back. Glad you reviewed. Thank you.
Aero- The other Titans haven't made any changes except they have grown taller, and are a tad bit more mature. Thanks.
inuspartan- Hi. I suppose you don't even remember this story. Here's a little bit of action. Anyway, Thank You.
pandi- I love Rob/Rae too! Thanks for your review!
Iris Night- I'm glad you thought it humorous. I'm told I'm too sarcastic to be funny. So Thanks for the perk-up!
Delirium24- You are the second person to say it was funny so I guess it's true. Thanks…
KenshinGal128- I love your review. Short and sweet but I like any review. Thanks!
Umbra Pruella- Thanks. I wanted it to be different.
AuroraMikayla- One of my most loyal reviewers and an awesome writer! Thanks for saying it was amusing.
StRaWbErRy- Sorry if I say that I suck a lot. It's just in my nature. Let's just say I don't get good ideas often. I thank you.
Tecna- Hello most brilliant reviewer and writer! The only thing more unfair than the way I left the chapter last time is how long I made you wait for this one. I send you love, peace, and Red Bull. Thank you!
Palidin- Thanks for adding me to your fav list! That is soooo generous!
leader- Their banter is something I think would be very common in their relationship, with them being so alike and all. As to your guess of Raven, Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, and Cyborg passing…. You may be right. Thanks!
alena-chan- Hi! Flash didn't say much in this chapter but I'll have more from him in future chapters seeing as he is pretty much the only JLA member I can tolerate. I had time and I updated for you so I hope you enjoyed it. As long as I live, you shall remain on my list. (I'm strange too!)
Dark Shadows 01- JLA really isn't my thing either but I think that it's time for the TT to take their places. Here's your update and thanks!
BrokenHummingbirdWings- I don't even know where this headed but I'll be sure to let you guys know. Robin's personality change was just… natural and I love his character this way. Thanks for reviewing every time I update!
Queen Raven- I was concentrating on TS but after getting almost 30 reviews on only two chapters I saw this story's potential. Thanks!
ghostfang- Okay I updated. Thanks for loving my 'great' story as you put it!
I PROMISE the next chapter will be out sooner…
Sorry for the delay,
BirdsOnTheBrain