Author's Note: Yeah, in all honesty this probably should've been updated a lot sooner.
-shoots a nervous glance at the girl from before, who's now taken her seat in front row, sweet smile on her face, but still menacingly brandishing a baseball bat the entire time-
…But here it is.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 10: Twisted Image
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"I…don't…believe it…" The Boy Wonder managed to say as his entire body nearly froze, undoubtedly due to shock.
"Dude…" a wide-eyed Beast Boy simply uttered.
"Heh…" Red X chuckled arrogantly, despite it all. Cyborg and Starfire still peeked side-by-side from the edge of the second-tier rooftop.
"Friend Cyborg…" Starfire began, still not taking her emerald eyes off Red X. "Please tell me…do my eyes deceive me? Is this some manner of deception…?"
Cyborg hit a few buttons on his arm, then slowly shook his head. "Well, Star…According to my sensors…no. What you see is what's really there…as far as I can tell…"
Up above, even though she was still engaged in a power struggle with Strife, Raven too stole a moment to gaze down at the revealed thief. At first, Raven had a hard time believing it too…but after the realization of what it really meant began to form itself in her mind, she gasped, the once resolute look in her eyes temporarily melting into one of dismay and hesitation.
Sensing the brief falter on Raven's end of the struggle, Strife cackled maliciously, taking advantage with a quick surge of dark energy, the magnitude and sheer power difference of which allowed it to swiftly overtake Raven's energy. Raven wasn't prepared for it and it nearly engulfed her before she turned her attention back to her likeness, redirecting her own energy inward to serve as a last-ditch shield. Strife's sudden energy attack met the bulk of the makeshift shield with a deafening crash, the outward force of the collision forcing Raven back several feet before she was able to regain balance in midair and center herself. Thanks to the shield, the surprise attack caused only minimal damage, as most of it dissipated in the collision.
"Still think you're strong enough?" Strife taunted, arms now loose at her sides as she stared Raven down. "So…you've seen his face. I imagine you must have some idea now…" Strife offered a quick nod toward Red X, indicating that she was talking about him.
Raven couldn't deny it. The pieces were beginning to come together. It was just as she'd feared…
"It doesn't matter. I won't let it happen." Raven shot back. "I removed Trigon from this plane. His corruption won't destroy this planet again."
Strife only laughed mockingly, placing her hands on her hips. "He may be gone…but I'm here, aren't I? Daddy's whereabouts aren't important. Don't you get it? We are connected. I with you, he with me. Did you think everything was resolved when you finally got Anger under your control again?"
Raven shook her head slowly from side to side, tension beginning to show through. "But Anger wasn't--"
"Feh…Anger may have had some of his essence within her, but she lacked his true nature. I'm sure you know this to be true. This is why even she could not stand against me. 'But she wasn't truly evil,' right? That's what you were going to say. She refused to completely embrace his strength, just like you've refused him. When the time came, I simply showed her the extent of that which she chose to suppress. You may have noticed her strange…inactivity as of late."
Raven briefly thought back to her most recent encounter with Anger, as well as the rest of her emotions in Nevermore. Indeed, Strife spoke truthfully…none of her emotions could contend with Strife, perhaps not even when combined. It was almost as though Trigon had left a hidden ticking time bomb inside Raven's mind as his own special brand of insurance.
"Truly pathetic." Strife went on. "She was a weakling. The rest of them were little more than target practice."
Strife's intense gaze pierced deep into the windows of Raven's soul, unwavering, and although Raven returned it, her own eyes shining a brilliant white, she began to wonder if she indeed would be able to prevent Strife's grim prophecy. Even with the help of the other Titans…
"Hm…no use attempting to conceal it anymore. I see it in your eyes." Strife said with a smirk. "You know precisely what this means… 'the end of all things mortal'. As Trigon willed it…"
"…So this is what you choose, Strife?" Raven interjected. "To follow in his footsteps, on his path of destruction?"
Strife chuckled. "Why not? At the very least, it'll be fun reducing this planet to ash."
Strife took a moment to glance downward, at all the cars in traffic and people walking the streets of Jump City so far below. Her smirk took on a mischievous tinge as she nonchalantly waved her hand downward, to an arbitrary group of people.
"So many people…" Strife said, almost wistfully. "…How easy it would be to erase them. Shall I?"
"No…" Raven protested, as her eyes returned to normal, expression worried, yet still defiant.
"Hear me now, child of Azarath…" Strife commanded, suddenly returning her gaze to Raven as she raised an open palm pointed at her, head arrogantly cocked slightly to one side. "Trigon will not be denied. This world will perish, as will you. Whether you accept it or not."
"I WON'T LET YOU!" Raven screamed as her eyes flashed white again, a momentous spark of rage such as this rare for her. Thrusting both arms forward, palms open and fingers outstretched, Raven unleashed an angry torrent of dark energy, immensely powerful, yet unfocused since she hadn't spoken her mantra first.
Strife smirked as it approached, spreading her arms outward to form an energy shield before her. She didn't even need the mantra since it was such a simple matter to deflect Raven's hastily thrown attack. As she dispersed the shield, Strife suddenly dashed forward, straight for Raven, both hands charged with black energy. Raven took on a defensive position, quickly charging her own hands as well in anticipation of the coming clash.
Down below, the other Titans were still coming to grips with Red X. Still held fast by Robin and Beast Boy, the thief chuckled, seemingly unfazed by the fact that Robin now held the skull mask.
"Aw man…" Beast Boy whined, his head back to human form, but his body still coiled tightly around Red X's legs as an octopus. "…first Raven, and now…"
Red X's facial features were identical to Robin's, except for pale, grayish skin, dark gray hair, and red eyes. In fact, Red X still wore the same mask over his eyes that Robin did.
"I just KNEW there was a reason why they sounded alike…this proves it!"
"Surprised?" Red X jabbed. He was clearly enjoying every moment of this.
"I don't believe it…" Robin repeated, almost as if doing so would cause Red X to disappear. The fury inside him quickly reaching its boiling point, Robin nearly snapped, releasing the bo staff which restricted Red X's arm movement in order to lunge for Red X's throat with both hands. "WHO ARE YOU?" Robin shouted, as he attempted to strangle the life out of Red X.
All the while, Red X maintained his trademark cool, content in the fact that he'd tricked Robin once again, this time by provoking him into releasing the hold just long enough for X to make his move. Before, he thought he'd be able to do it when Robin used one hand to remove the mask, but with Robin's other hand still holding him down at the same time, he still couldn't break the hold. But now, finally with enough leeway to operate, Red X endured Robin's strangle as he aimed both palms upward, past Robin and Beast Boy, aiming a stream of shuriken Xs Starfire's way.
"Get down!" Cyborg cried, and with a small 'Eep', Starfire did so, ducking for cover as shuriken Xs whizzed past her, some of them clinking against the brick wall separating the tiers. Cyborg did likewise, both hands clasped over his head for protection.
"You…" Robin angrily muttered, swiftly turning his head back after realizing what Red X was doing. That was all Red X needed. The brief lapse in attention allowed Red X to pop both forearms upward, smacking the blunt end of the bo staff against the side of Robin's face. Wasting no time, Red X followed up with a swift right punch that sent Robin rolling off him. By the time Beast Boy figured out what Red X was up to, it was already too late.
With his entire upper body free, Red X sat up, and although Beast Boy tried to retaliate, two lightning-fast punches later, Beast Boy found himself lying on the ground, reverted back to human form, right next to Robin. Red X flipped back up to his feet, wrist blades extracted as he took on a fighting stance.
"…I'm Red X." the thief coolly answered, referring to Robin's earlier outburst.
In the night sky above, Raven and Strife were engaged in a heated duel. Things seemed to be pretty even, but Raven was gradually getting winded, when Strife showed no apparent signs of slowing down. As they circled each other in midair, Raven dodged a string of attacks from Strife, ducking around fierce punches and kicks, waiting for the right moment to strike back. She found it after blocking a high kick with her forearm.
Brushing the kick aside, Raven pressed forward, placing a palm to Strife's midsection. An instant later, she charged a pulse of dark energy into it, which sent Strife hurtling backwards. After the successful counter, Raven held her position, wary of any sudden offensive from Strife. Strife regained her balance, eyes still focused on Raven.
"Not bad…" Strife said with a grin. "…but not good enough!" At those words, she burst forward again, giving Raven almost no time to think as she rapidly closed the distance between them. Raven fired off a few warning shots, but Strife effortlessly swatted them away, and a few seconds later, was upon Raven again with another flurry of attacks.
Raven dodged some and countered others, but she couldn't help but notice that her reaction time wasn't what it should've been. It wasn't long before more of Strife's moves found their mark. After Raven swayed around two jabs from Strife, she attempted a high elbow strike aimed for Strife's chest, but Strife expertly caught the elbow in one hand, throwing it upward to force open Raven's guard. Strife took this moment of opportunity to unleash a forceful roundhouse kick. Raven had just barely enough time to duck under it, but was caught off-guard when Strife delivered a surprise knee to Raven's exposed chin, forcing her to stretch upward again as her entire body was lifted a few inches higher by the force of the knee.
With a menacing chuckle, Strife sank an energy charged fist into Raven's stomach. Raven let out a pained gasp, widened eyes returning to normal yet again as the surprisingly vicious punch literally took her breath away. It seemed Strife had a nasty habit of suddenly unleashing wildly powerful attacks without warning in order to unbalance things in her favor.
Back on the rooftop, Starfire and Cyborg found themselves in a tense situation, with battles taking place on both sides of them. Down on the lower tier of the rooftop, Robin and Beast Boy struggled against Red X, while Raven fought with Strife in the sky.
"I'm getting' ready to jump back in down there…" Cyborg said, as he made every attempt to optimize his systems before rejoining the fight. Starfire watched him with a look of worry. The sound of blows landing, accompanied by agonized grunts from Raven could be heard above them. "…but you might wanna go lend Rae a hand. She ain't lookin' so hot at the moment."
Starfire looked up to see Strife, who had Raven held up at the throat with one hand, sadistic smile on her face. Raven's eyes were closed, her hands clasped around Strife's arm in a feeble attempt to release the grip. Strife began charging her free hand with energy, intent on delivering the finishing strike. The sight of her friend in immediate danger was all it took for Starfire to blast upward, eyes and hands glowing green as she closed in on the enemy.
Strife could sense the approaching Tamaranian, deciding to take the charged energy intended for Raven and instead fire it down at Starfire before she could get close. Unyielding, Starfire fired her own Starbolts to nullify the attack. She then flew straight through the resulting explosion, facial expression intense, filled with Tamaranian fury.
"You will release Raven!" Starfire shouted, aiming a punch for Strife's face just as she reached her. Strife caught it with her free hand.
"As you wish." Strife coldly replied.
Another moment to relish Starfire's puzzled expression, and then Strife did as she was commanded, allowing Raven's limp body to drift from her grasp before beginning its descent to the rooftop below. With a gasp, Starfire ripped her fist free from Strife before dashing after the falling Raven. Strife simply allowed Starfire to break free, and watched with some amusement, arms folded, as Starfire took off to rescue Raven.
Starfire managed to catch Raven only a short distance before they would've hit the rooftop.
"Raven…" Starfire began, clearly worried for her friend's well-being. "…please, open your eyes…"
A few moments later, Raven did so, to which Starfire offered a bright smile.
"Starfire, behind you!" Raven suddenly exclaimed, but too late, as Starfire was nailed square in the back by a blast of dark energy before she could even turn to see what Raven was talking about. With an anguished scream, Starfire dropped Raven before hurtling forward, crashing into the rooftop. Raven regained her own composure, looking in the direction the blast had come from to see Strife above, still with her palm stretched out from her attack on the unaware Starfire. As Starfire struggled back to her feet, Raven hovered over to her side, the two of them floating back up to meet Strife, who had nosedived and was swooping in on them.
By this time, Robin had recovered his bo staff, and used it to ward off Red X's wrist blades. He could hear the commotion on the other part of the roof, especially Starfire's earlier scream which diverted his attention for the briefest of moments. This proved costly, however, since by the time Robin heard Beast Boy's "Watch out!", Red X had already slammed the heel of his foot into Robin's jaw. He hit the floor hard, rolling along a few feet more until coming to a stop close to the middle of the rooftop.
"Jeez kid, you got it bad. It's painfully obvious, you know. That's twice in the same fight. Maybe you should worry more about yourself."
Meanwhile, Beast Boy had assumed the form of a goat, and charged at Red X from his blindside in order to prevent him from pursuing Robin. However, Red X easily noticed this, and swiftly turned to face the incoming Beast Boy, both hands taking hold of goat Beast Boy's horns once he was close enough. In one smooth motion, Red X used the horns as leverage and hopped over goat Beast Boy's head, flipping in air to deliver a punishing kick with both feet to the changeling's backside. This kick sent Beast Boy flying forward to the edge of the rooftop, Red X using the extra momentum to vault himself toward Robin's position. But before Red X could reach Robin, Cyborg jumped down from the higher part of the rooftop, landing between Red X and his target. Without wasting a moment, Cyborg pointed the business end of the Sonic Cannon at the thief.
"I don't think so." Cyborg said defiantly, before firing a stream of blue and white Red X's way.
Red X had to nearly bend over backwards, contorting his frame into an awkward position in order to just barely dodge the blast. It still grazed him as it went by though, and he could feel the intense heat of it against the suit. A sudden wail from Beast Boy came a second later.
"Dude! You almost hit ME!" As it turns out, Beast Boy was standing behind Red X at the time, so he was in the direct line of fire. A quick morph into a turtle and back saved him, though.
Red X however, did not hesitate, launching himself at Cyborg with both wrist blades extended. Cyborg brought up the Sonic Cannon arm to block Red X's slashes, aiming a punch with his other arm as soon as he got the chance. Red X dodged it by ducking low, but a low-pitched growl coming from behind him alerted him that tiger Beast Boy was closing in fast. Red X looked back to see the green cat's razor-sharp teeth and claws just a foot or so from his face. Fortunately for him, he was prepared, and had activated the teleportation mechanism on the suit just in time to reposition himself farther away along the side of the rooftop. It cost quite a bit of Xenothium, but Red X figured he could pick up the slack, especially with Strife around.
Unfortunately for Cyborg, however, tiger Beast Boy couldn't stop his own forward momentum in time, and plowed right into his best friend. After the collision, Beast Boy detransformed, with a meek chuckle and a half-smile on his face.
"Heh heh…well, I guess that makes us even."
"Even? My shot missed you, and you hit me. How is that even? You're lucky your claws didn't scratch up my armor or I'd--"
Cyborg's tirade was interrupted by a battlecry from Robin, who'd since gotten back to his feet and engaged Red X yet again. Beast Boy took the opportunity to dash off toward the two, saving himself from Cyborg's wrath for the time being. Whether or not he would repeat his earlier mistake remained to be seen. Before rejoining, Cyborg took a few moments to watch Red X and Robin fight.
"Wow…he fights just like Robin did when it actually was him in the suit…" Cyborg thought as he watched the two clash weapons. "…And that Black-cloak Raven up there…what's going on here?"
At the moment, "that Black-cloak Raven" was giving Starfire and Raven quite a workout.
"She's just an emotion…she's not invincible…" Raven thought as she watched Starfire fling Starbolts at the malevolent Strife. Of course, Strife simply batted them away amusedly. With a quick chant of the mantra, Raven ripped up a few pieces of steel and brick from the rooftop, and they hovered about her as she prepared to launch them at Strife. "…If I can just manage to get one, good hit…"
Strife seemed to be growing bored of deflecting Starfire's attacks, so she prepared to dash in to melee range. Raven sent the objects hurtling Strife's way, but with a wave of the palm, a shield sprang up which deflected them away. Strife glared at Raven, however the low, dull roar of an engine nearby gave her a sadistic idea. Raven knew as soon as she heard the jet engine what Strife was planning to do.
"Watch closely, child of Azarath. I will show you how to properly use that power."
"Don't do it…" Raven warned, teeth tensely grit.
Strife cackled, raising a palm toward the jet plane flying by overhead.
"Try and stop me." Came her reply.
Starfire caught on too, and flung even more Starbolts at Strife in an attempt to prevent her, but to no avail as Strife simply formed a small shield with one hand to block Starfire's attacks.
"Oooh, look at all the pretty green fireworks over there!" a small girl exclaimed from her window seat on the plane.
"Cool!" her older brother, sitting next to her said as he looked out the window as well. "But they look a little weird…"
"I wonder what they're celebrating…" the children's mother said, sitting in the seat closest to the aisle.
A moment later, black energy enveloped the jet, jerking it from its normal flight path. The young girl screamed at the sudden erratic motion of the plane.
"Calm down, it's ok." The mother said reassuringly. "That's only turbulence. It's perfectly normal."
"But the window just got so dark…" the girl said, worry seeping up into her voice.
"Well, it is nighttime, honey…" the mother went on, trying to calm her daughter, since it was her first flight. "We're probably just flying through some dark clouds. Everything is ok, you'll see."
"Yeah, quit bein' such a crybaby!" the girl's older brother taunted.
Strife stopped the plane entirely, held it still in midair for a few seconds, then hurled it downward.
Naturally, hysteria soon broke out on the plane.
"Mama, I'm scared!" The young girl screamed again. She squirmed in her seat, pressing herself as far down into it as she could.
"It's ok, baby, it's ok." The mother repeated, though now it seemed she was trying to calm herself just as much as her 8 year-old daughter. The woman's hands were clasped tightly on the armrests, and the pace of her breathing quickened. "Just keep your seat belt on, ok baby?"
Thinking quickly, Raven extended her own energy to the plane, attempting to wrest it from Strife's clutches. This, coupled with irregular changes in velocity caused considerably violent shaking on the plane.
"Passengers, this is your captain speaking. Please remain calm and ensure that your seat belts are securely fastened. We repeat, please remain calm…"
"What the--" the young girl's brother began.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!" a random passenger screamed from the rear of the plane.
Raven struggled to halt the plane's descent, but Strife's grip proved too strong. As things stood, it was only a matter of time before the plane would slam into the city below with a fiery crash. Starfire realized this, and was left with a choice. She could either leave Strife and attempt to add her strength to Raven's in order to stop the plane, or she could fully engage Strife, which would hopefully allow Raven to save the aircraft. Given Strife's unpredictability and the unknown capacity of her strength, perhaps it would be better for the people on the plane if Strife's attention were elsewhere.
"I shall entrust their lives to you, Friend Raven…" Starfire thought as she dashed straight for Strife.
"Why do you want to save them so badly?" Strife mocked. "My way is much more fun!"
"Your way is wrong, Strife." Raven said calmly. "These people don't deserve this fate."
A moment later, a Starbolt rammed into Strife's back, throwing off her concentration and weakening her grip on the plane. She looked back to see Starfire already upon her, eyes angrily glowing green. A moment later and Starfire's fist found its way to Strife's jaw with explosive impact, sending Strife sailing for several feet. With that, Strife's grip on the plane was released entirely, and Raven hurriedly took control to stop the plane's rapid descent, while looking for a safe place to set it down. The airport was a few miles away, but there was a clearing in a nearby mall parking lot just big enough to fit the plane.
"Imbecile!" Strife shouted, bursting back toward Starfire. Starfire aimed another punch in retaliation, but Strife wouldn't allow it a second time. She caught Starfire's arm at the wrist, using her other arm to ram her own fist into Starfire's nose. However, since Strife held her wrist tightly, Starfire wasn't allowed to go hurtling away as Strife did only moments earlier. Instead she was given only a violent recoil as her body attempted to absorb the shock. Strife punched again, but Starfire was quick to regain her composure, and caught Strife's punch at the wrist just as Strife now held hers. The two were locked in a temporary stalemate.
"Why…." Starfire inquired. "…why do you wish to harm others?"
"It's my nature." Strife responded.
In the meantime, Raven managed to set the plane down safely. "Thank you, Starfire…" Raven thought.
"We…we landed?" The little girl on the plane asked, as she finally mustered the courage to open her eyes again.
"We're alive?" The girl's brother said, incredulous. "And we're at the mall? Awesome!"
"Yeah…" said the mother, having a hard time believing it herself. "…We made it…somehow. I told you everything would be ok."
Back on the rooftop, Robin led the attack against Red X. Though Robin swung the staff with expert precision, Red X blocked and parried all of his attacks with an equal degree of expertise. In the meantime, Cyborg took aim at Red X from afar with the Sonic Cannon.
"Make sure you don't hit US!" Beast Boy called back before taking to the air as a falcon.
"I won't." Cyborg said simply as he fired the cannon. The way the blast was aimed, however, Robin would need to move in order to avoid getting hurt. Cyborg just assumed Robin would realize that and get out of the way in time. He did, and since Red X's back was to Cyborg's blast, he instinctively rolled sideways as soon as he saw Robin move. The blast cleared both of them, traveling onward until it flew clear down the block to collide with the wall of a different building.
"Cyborg, be more careful!" Robin exclaimed as he lunged for Red X again.
"Oops, my bad…"
"Hey kid, ready to call it quits yet?" Red X asked, as he and Robin clashed weapons again, Cyborg and Beast Boy nearby. Upon hearing the question, Robin was instantly reminded of his countless training sessions against the Red X Simulator back at the Tower. But this definitely wasn't a simulation…
"Not by a longshot." Robin replied.
Meanwhile, Starfire and Strife broke their stalemate, and now floated some yards away from each other. But, Strife had charged up energy, and suddenly blasted forward, straight for Starfire, sadistic smirk intact. But Strife's facial expression soon changed.
"What is this…?"
"Starfire, NOW!" Raven shouted, as she flew up to Starfire's side. They had been biding their time, covertly charging their own energies as they waited for the opportune moment.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!"
On Raven's command, they simultaneously released all their pent-up energy in two powerful blasts, the green and the black swirling together to combine their strength. Raven's mantra served to focus the blasts, further enhancing their potency once they combined.
"You think you can stop me?" Strife yelled. She did not relent in the face of the oncoming attack, but increased her speed, crossing her arms in front of her to form an aura shield as she hit the attack head-on.
"Don't hold back, Starfire!" Raven called, as she poured even more energy into the attack. "Strife hasn't said the mantra yet…is she that confident?"
"I will not." Starfire assured, as she did likewise. The dueling sides eventually reached critical mass, and in a thunderous explosion of energy and force, the three were thrown in opposite directions, Starfire and Raven going one way, Strife going the other.
When the smoke cleared, Raven scanned the area, but Strife was nowhere in sight.
"We are…victorious?" Starfire asked, hopeful.
"I'm not sure…" came Raven's pensive reply. Raven tried to sense Strife…the air was definitely different, but she couldn't pinpoint it. She looked down toward the boys, who were still fighting with Red X. Then, her eyes widened when she saw a familiar black cloud form itself near Red X.
"She's down there! Starfire, hurry!"
"You certainly put up a good fight…" Strife began, as her four red eyes became barely visible through the dark cloud. "really fun…and as much as I'd love to continue, I'm afraid I have to postpone the second half of our playdate."
In all his fury, however, Robin didn't listen, and angrily swung the staff at both of them. Strife reached an arm out from the cloud, taking hold of Red X and pulling him back into the cloud, causing Robin's attack to whiff entirely until it cracked into the floor of the rooftop. With Red X safely inside, the black cloud rose into the night sky, and all five Titans watched it. Robin's grip on the bo staff tightened, and his teeth clenched as he seethed with rage.
"Sorry to cut it short, kid…" Red X said nonchalantly. "…see you next time."
"NO!" Robin yelled. "YOU WON'T GET AWAY FROM ME!"
"Robin…" Starfire watched him with concern.
Not willing to give up, Robin bounded upward, flinging explosive discs at the cloud. Of course, they passed straight through, exploding harmlessly in the sky. Almost within reach now, Robin took one last swing upward with the staff. However, the cloud rapidly shrank in size, vanishing into thin air just before Robin's staff would've connected.
After landing back on the rooftop, Robin took a knee, slamming down his bo staff in order to vent some of his anger. The other Titans stood speechless for a few moments, but Starfire was the first to approach him.
"It is alright, Robin…" Starfire said, reaching down to gently place a hand on his shoulder. "Truly, the--"
"No, Starfire…" Robin mumbled dejectedly as he looked off to the side. Red X's skull mask was still lying there on the floor, looking up at him. "…it's not alright. He got away again. They could be anywhere. You saw what they were capable of. And they weren't even serious. I can't relax until I find out what's really going on, especially now."
"Yeah, with all these kooky doppelgangers running around..." Beast Boy chimed in. "It's like something straight outta the movies!"
"Somethin' tells me it's a lot bigger than you might think…" Cyborg mused, as he glanced in Raven's direction.
"You're right." Raven affirmed, as she turned away, looking instead along the Jump City skyline. "I'm still seeking answers myself."
"They were both so powerful…" Raven thought to herself."Especially Strife. Why couldn't I sense Red X's secret before? And Strife…if she really wanted to, she could've easily just detonated that jet on the spot, right there in the sky…"
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Author's Note: What the…? Red X is Robin? But Robin is Robin! And why does he have such pale skin, and red eyes? Just like Strife! Speaking of Strife, it seems she's revealed at least some part of the truth. As Trigon's final trump card, she's already proven that Daddy hates losing! But why did she and X decide to break things off so quickly, just when we were getting into full swing? They certainly weren't at any sort of a disadvantage…and what of Slade, the guy who always operates from behind the scenes? It most assuredly seems as though he's got something to do with all this…