15 - Porcelain

Robin often wished for power, often hungered for it. Power for revenge, power for justice, power to protect. He failed to obtain it, each and every time., for a long while. It wasn't something you obtained, it was something you shared.

So, he stuck with what he knew. He ran with all the strength his legs had, borrowing rooftops and walls. Unlike his inspector and her wife (which barely concerned him, that was common for Jump City, surprisingly enough), he did not need to cut through some red tape. He smashed a demon as he swung, searching, following the burst, the energy, the fear that tended to be all-consuming in Raven, especially in relation to her father. After all, he was powerful and all knowing of what was around her and how to wrench it apart.

He knew what that fear felt like, and his friends, his family had saved him from it.

Now they just had to save Raven, and the world.

Robin felt his lips twitch into a smile. No big deal.

Then a chill ran up his spine, and he stopped. His staff extended. The chuckle that had bounced in and out of his dreams reverberated again. "Hello Robin."

Armored fingers, a two-toned mask, weapon at the ready despite a completely relaxed posture. "Slade." Robin kept his voice quiet. "I thought you and Trigon were through."

"Indeed we are," he said, as relaxed in tone as ever. "But in the process of completing my work, I ended up here. Raven is… quite paranoid in her youth and was unwilling to help me. It's well appreciated." Watching Robin's grip tighten on his, his voice almost sounded like he was smiling. "Ah. Yes. Your little promise. 'Of you ever saw me again…'"

"I don't have time for you." Robin felt himself slipping to pounce anyway. Just like Slade wanted. Just like his old mentor would have wanted. They always brought this out of him, this isolation.

But before he could move, the bond with Raven started to scream.

Without hesitation, Robin turned on his heel and went to follow it.

Slade chuckled. So predictable. He moved away, calling the magical scythe back to his palm. Now to get back to finding a way to Earth. After all, what was the point of conquest if it was not a territory you loved?

She couldn't breathe. The Power, the magic was heavier than her heart, heavy withdrawal. But it was so welcome. Even with the weight, she had needed this.

Of course, it still hurt.

Vivio didn't seem to notice. Then again, would you? She was focusing on beating up fire demons. As she watched, they were surprisingly easy to knock down. THeir regeneration was slow. Still they could win by sheer numbers, and Rae's own power was limited there...wasn't it?

Raven paused. No, she wasn't powerless against these. Her father maybe, but if all it took was one good shot or two… Her mind began to whirl, Device shining. The magic rolled outward, shrinking, swirling, into solid light.

"Dragon's Eye," Azarath chanted. "Fire."

And they burst with light, causing the magic to drain out too much too fast and her mind screamed with it but it didn't matter because fire demons were exploding into ash.

Vivio stopped, landing back. "Nice!" Right after she said that, more formed from the ashes left behind. "Nuts!" She blocked with her wrist, then kicked out with her leg. "We'll have to keep this up for a little more, Rae-chan!"

Raven made a noise of exhausted agreement. This wasn't the kind of fighting that she did. Her magic was welling up in all sorts of ways. There was no way to adjust to it this quickly.

Then a red and yellow metal bird soared and spun through a monster's face A slender arm scooped her and Vivio up too easily as they flew up and up out of reach. At least, if for the moment.

"Hi!" Vivio greeted, relaxing her magic. "You're okay!"

Robin grinned weakly himself. "I'm not so easy to kill."

"I remember that." Rae felt her small shoulders relax, even as the dread pit in her stomach grew wider and wider. Her father wasn't going to stop. Not until this world was molten and dead.

How could she stop him from here?

(Later, Raven would notice how different that train of thought was from the rest.)

A/N: Hey guys, this fic is one of those ones that I know where it's going but how is like pulling my gums apart with piano wire. Don't worry, I'm still going and I hope, maybe, I can get this one done by the end of the year, if not early February. (Wishful thinking, yes I know)

Side note guys: I'm taking fanfic commissions now! School has given me an unfortunate bill that I'd rather not rely on my parents to pay for and I need to do some more saving to send original works out to publishers, so anything heading towards that would be really great. Note that any requests you ask for to be 10k or longer up front will have a delay due to backlogging in the works, but anything shorter I can at least give hope for to be out before the end of the year. Another option is to send money to my . Information for this is all up on my website (my FFN website) which is linked on my FFN profile. Thanks you guys!

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