I have two things to apologize for; one, how long it took me to update. And two, that this chapter is a bit short. But I'd still like to know your thoughts on it, please tell me what you think. I'm not boring you out of your skull am I? Don't be polite, just tell me. Enjoy, I hope.

Chapter Nine

The Wandering Titan

"You are the one called Raven."

"Good guess," she replied curtly.

"You will suffer greatly for this intrusion, and your minuscule planet will either yield to me or burn in my wrath."

"Well at least we have a choice. So, why haven't I burned in your wrath? Am I growing on you?" He stood over the table and looked her over.

"Your physical and mental prowess merit further experimentation. But fear not once I am satisfied you will surely regret what comes to you."

"Is it just me or do all you bad guys like to spit out threats that aren't going to happen?"

"You simply do not understand your position. You're companions will never find you, this room is designed to block you're mental signals, and you are entirely at my mercy."

"Like I said, even if I can't do anything my friends won't stop until you're finally gone. We always find a way and sooner or later you'll end up just like everyone else that's tried to blow up the earth."

"Oh we shall see about that," he said maliciously. He steadily circled the table. "You may yet prove a valuable asset. Kormand'r, unfortunately, has outlived her usefulness. And it appears there are things about your companions Koriand'r has managed to keep hidden from me."

"I don't understand."

"You will assist me in providing Arameth with a new host, and you will tell me everything I wish to know." Raven narrowed her eyes up at him.

"You can go to hell." He stood beside her again and bent closer.

"It's slightly underrated, I know." The empty blackness staring down at her seemed to penetrate her very soul.

"You don't scare me. I don't care what you do! I'll never tell you anything and I won't help you in any way." She stared up at him with an unwavering frown. Anubis straightened back up and motioned for something. Her door opened again and in walked tow men in lab coats. They wheeled in a stand which held up a foggy green cylinder. She eyed it apprehensively. One of the scientists clicked a small button and the fog cleared. Inside the murky liquid a metallic clump moved about freely. At once four hair-like legs sprang from it and it issued a high pitched squeaking. Raven's mouth slacked open. Anubis looked from the squirming robotic drone to Raven.

"Ohhh yes, you will." Raven's eyes grew watery as she could only imagine what awaited her.

ACROSS THE GALAXY IN A T SHAPED TOWER………………

Beast Boy paced back and forth in the common room. He had even ignored a chance to watch (at the same time) Revenge of the Zoinoids II and an episode of South Park. Cyborg sat on the edge of the couch cracking his knuckles. He'd flip through the channels a few times, turn off the TV, and then start it all over again. Starfire brought a steaming pot over to the tense Beast Boy.

"Friend I wish to ease your troubled mind," she said cheerfully. Beast Boy sent a sideways glance at her bowl.

"With that? What is it? Because if it's the first stuff you used to try and 'ease my troubled mind' then I think I'll pass." She giggled and shook her head.

"No, this is merely a simple chocolate pudding that Robin showed me not long ago."

"Uh huh, and is it supposed to be steaming hot when you serve it?" She looked down into the bowl and shrugged.

"I am unsure of your personal preferences, but Robin enjoys consuming it immediately after it is done."

"No kidding, well it's a wonder he still has a throat."

"Beast Boy I cannot help but detect a notable amount of restlessness from you." Beast Boy continued to pace while Starfire followed him back and forth. "I can only speculate what is troubling you." Beast Boy stopped walked around and rubbed his forehead.

"Taka and Raven have been gone for two days, and we haven't heard a single word from either of them."

"Be at ease Beast Boy, I am more than confident they will return soon."

"Yeah well, they better," said Cyborg. "And how can you be so perky right now anyway?" Starfire thought for a moment than shrugged.

"I am unsure, I simply am." At that moment Robin entered the common room in a jog. He ran up to the font consol and began typing furiously. "Robin what is?" He finished his task then turned his head back at them.

"The glider is on its way." The three behind him all looked at each other happily. Robin displayed the small craft's approached on the large screen. He tapped threw more keys and the long runway rose back up form under the water's surface. "The ship's on autopilot, and it looks like its taken some damage to its port thruster."

"How's that?" asked Cyborg.

"They might've been attacked," suggested Robin. "We won't know until Taka and Raven give us the whole story. Alright they've docked, let's roll out the welcome mat." Starfire clapped her hands together joyfully and they all made there way down to the docking bay. The elevator came to halt and they stepped out to see Taka already clambering out of the glider. Their faces fell when they saw that not only did she seem injured but hat she was also alone. She was taking in several hard breaths. She looked around at each of them and began to loose her balance.

"Whoa careful there," said Cyborg. He grabbed her arm to keep her from falling.

"Raven….," muttered Taka. Cyborg looked from her to Robin.

"Let's get her out of here."

TAKA'S ROOM………

Taka emerged from her closet with a clean set of clothes and took some pain reliever. The door chime sounded and she jerked her head in the general direction. "Come in," she beckoned. Her Titan colleagues entered. "Oh, hello guys."

"How you feeling?" inquired Robin. Taka sighed.

"I'm fine." Robin, along with everyone else, found a seat. "Robin…I-"

"Its okay Taka, lets just get the obvious out of the way. Raven didn't come back with you." Taka bowed her head.

"No."

"Why?" asked Beast Boy. Taka cleared her throat.

"We successfully boarded Anubis' ship and…we seemed to be able to move about with impunity more or less. I discovered a computer terminal and the two of us promptly made our way down to it."

"Did you discover anything of signifigance?" asked Starfire. "Do you know why Oni-Kal is so interested in item Himora entrusted to you?"

"That remains a mystery still I'm afraid, however we did discover something. Anubis has acquired a powerful weapon that allows him to devastate an area on a planet's surface within a radius of up to thirty miles." Robin's mouth parted as did the others. "The resulting environmental damage would eventually make the planet unsuitable to sustain life of any kind"

Cyborg asked. "Was he testing it when you on board?" Taka hesitated and stole a glance at Starfire.

"Yes."

"And do you know where you were at the time?" asked Robin. Taka lowered her gaze and shook her head.

"No, no I'm not sure where we were at..at the time." Robin eyes narrowed slightly and Taka continued to avoid looking at him. Beast Boy stood up out of impatience.

"This is al interesting and stuff, but where's Raven. You two didn't split up, did you?" Taka mouthed wordlessly before just nodding her head. "You didn't, god dam-where'd she go?"

"We found out that he planned to test his weapon on a heavily populated area on the planet in question and Raven forced me to leave so she could…"

"Could what?"

"Could remain behind to stop Anubis herself."

"OH RAVEN!" bellowed Beast Boy. "Stubborn, stupid, love of my life." He mumbled while walked about Taka's room.

"You must understand Beast Boy I had no intention of leaving without her." Beast Boy stopped talking to himself. "I tried to stay but she wouldn't let me-"

"I know Taka, that sounds just like Raven and when she gets back here-"

"I'm sorry Beast Boy but if she has not returned already then I'm afraid that what I have feared has happened." Beast Boy awaited her answer. "She has been taken prisoner by Anubis." Beast Boy slowly descended back down to his seat.

"No."

"I am sorry Beast Boy, I feel entirely responsible."

"Starfire," said Beast Boy. "What's going to happen to her?" Starfire fiddled with her hands.

"I am not sure such information need be divulged at this time." Beast Boy flitted a no-nonsense glance at her. "Though I am unclear of his methods as of late, Anubis will…surely torture her for whatever knowledge he may see as useful to him. He will then search for a way to assimilate her somehow into his agenda." Beast Boy shook his head and promptly took his leave.

"Beast Boy I'm sure-" Cyborg cut her off by taking her shoulder.

"Let him go he needs time by himself before he goes off." Taka turned in perplexity.

"Go off?"

Robin nodded in agreement. "Yup, its not going to be long after Beast Boy's done worrying that he gonna go out by himself looking for her."

"But Robin Anubis could have moved on to any region of space by now, how is Beast Boy supposed to know where to start looking?" Robin blew out a stream of air.

"I don't know, but I can tell you for sure that right now he doesn't give a damn one bit."

ELSEWHERE ALONG THE ARAZONAN DESERT………

It was dusk above the dusty landscape and high cliffs in the Navajo reservation. A jeep trucked along the only visible road, its two occupants where an old man and a younger boy. The boy rolled his eyes as the older man turned up the volume on the Beach Boy's music he was playing. He turned on the heater and a sudden bright light blinded them for an instant. The old man gave a loud gasp in surprise. He fish tailed the car into a skidding halt. He took in several agitated breaths and clutched his chest from a small amount of pain. They both stepped out of the jeep and looked about the area. The boy narrowed his gaze to try and focus on something near the fence.

"Grandpa, what is it?" He didn't answer him but walked towards what his grandson pointed. He bent down and turned over a young girl. The boy jumped back slightly but the old man remained by her side. He laid a hand on her forehead and she coughed out a small amount of spit.

"Breath slowly little one," he whispered. Her lilac hair lay matted and uncombed. She kept her eyes closed. "Do you know your name?"

"N-Name?"

"Your name, what do your mother and father call you?" For a fleeting moment he was sure he saw a black aura surrounding her hands. He looked back at her face and saw her eyes. They were distant glassy.

"My name?"

Compared to my other chapters this was extremely short, I'm sorry. But I was on a schedule today and was forced to break up some of the story a little bit. These things happen, but luckily they don't happen often. I'd like some reviews and I'll update again soon. Bye for now!