The early morning sunrise started over the bay, the rays breaking across the placid water, giving a small shimmering effect to it. The rays of the sun struck the plate-glass windows of the Tower, glaring off of them as well. A figure stood atop the Tower, staring out across the water, the wind whipping through his short, black hair. His eyes squinted against the bright light. A young female stood there with him as well, her bronzed, orange skin seeming to glow, causing her vivid jade eyes to shine. She turned to the male, preparing to speak.
"Robin," Starfire started, "is...is our plan of action going to work?"
Robin continued to stare off across the water.
"I...I don't know," he replied, shifting his feet, trying to change the subject, "Starfire, we shouln't think so negative, I mean you yourself said we should imagine victory, not defeat."
"I know this Robin," Starfire pleaded, "but that is not what I mean, I mean that friend Raven, will she come back to us or will she remain at Slade's side as his apprentice?"
Robin turned to face her, his eyes level with hers.
"I will say this," he started, taking her hands, "Raven is our friend, she has made mistakes, serious ones, but as her friends, we must help and redeem herself from what she has done. Raven truely knows in her heart who to side with and when the time comes, we will find out. Either way, Slade's constant resurfacing and terror on the city will come to an end, and if Raven chooses the wrong path, then she will face the same fate as Slade."
Robin's last statement caused Starfire's eyes to widen with surprise.
"Robin, you can't possibly me-" she started.
"I do and I will follow through with it if be needed Star," he painfully admitted.
She closed her eyes at his reply, thinking about other things at hand as well.
"You really shouldn't be going along with this mission anyways, Robin, your injuries aren't fully healed yet," Starfire warned, caring for him.
"Star, you and I both know I must go," he quickly replied, tired of everyone's constant worrying for him.
"I know you can't remain ilde Robin, but your injuries may limit your abilites, or worse, you may get hurt and...and," tears started forming in her eyes.
Robin lifted his gloved hand, wiping away the falling drops upon her cheeks.
"Listen to me," he comforted, "nothing bad is going to happen, we are going to go in, get Raven, and take care of Slade, then everything will return back to normal, I promise you."
She weakly smiled, lifting her head.
"Now," he stated, "guess its time to start getting ready, everyone should be waking up around now."
She nodded, taking his hand, putting her arm through his, laying her head upon his shoulder as they made their way back to the elevator.
"Raven," a voice called out from behind her closed door, knocking gently.
No answer was heard.
"Raven," was stated louder by the same voice, the knock matching it, going from a knock to that of a bang.
Still, she did not reply, only silence was audible.
"Child," the voice growled, "open this door immediately, it is time for you to prepare for the day, you must rise from your sleep and get ready."
"Go away," was faintly heard in more of a groan by her.
The door's solid structure was reduced to nothing, Slade kicking in the door, causing it to fall to the floor, slamming, and echoing off of the bare walls. Raven shot up from her bead, her eyes still groggy.
"When I say it is time to wake, I mean it is time to wake," Slade slowly stated, trying to regain control of his composure once more.
Raven closed her eyes and laid back down, wrapping the covers around her tighter.
"5 more minutes," she replied, attempting to get comfortable again.
"Do not test me, child," Slade hissed, stepping closer to the bed, leaning down to her head, "rise, get dressed, and prepare yourself, I am sure that your day of reckoning has come, so get up."
"What is your problem?" she managed, glancing at her clock, seeing that it was 5:43 A.M. "Are you like an insomniac or something? Normal people sleep right about now and don't wake up for another 3 hours."
Slade only squinted his eye that much more. He knew things were going for the worse between he and Raven, but there was a part of him that deeply cared for her as he had cared for his family long before it all came crashing to a halt. His logic won out over his emotions, quickly reaching out and grasping Raven by the neck, lifting her from the bed, and pinning her against the wall, her feet dangling at least a foot off of the floor. Raven's groggy state subsided, finally coming to a wide awake one, struggling against Slade's grip.
"I won't ask you again," he warned, holding her pinned up against the wall.
"Let...go of...me," she struggled, his grip holding tight upon her throat, but allowing her to breath.
He did so, letting her body fall to the ground, staying on her hands and knees. She grasped her throat, rubbbing it, coughing for breath.
"Now that I have your undivided attention," Slade sneered, "get ready, we will await your "friends"s arrival, as I said, today is the day, Raven, Robin and the others are going to attempt to save you, all of which is in complete futility, they will fail, and you and I will bask in it Raven."
Raven looked up at him, seeing that he was on somewhat of a power trip, standing over her.
"Listen to yourself, since I'm not," Raven retorted, rising to her feet, adjusting her the clothing she wore as something to sleep in, which consisted of nothing more than a tank top and a pair of pants.
He narrowed his stare at her once more, clenching his fists, but quickly retracted, relaxing himself once more.
"Please do hurry up, child," he finally managed, attempting to sound as he did before, before all of these events that had led to the beginning of severing of ties betweent them. Raven knew, no matter how much she didn't want to admit it, but before things went sour between them, she looked up to and respected him as a mentor and a father. That vision has long been shattered, Raven knowing that truly, she could never stay, even if she were to never fight her friends again, it wouldn't work out.
Raven only looked on as he stood there.
"Uhh...do you mind?" she maliciously questioned, "if you want me to get ready then you must either leave or let me go in the bathroom."
Slade motioned his hand for her to go change in the bathroom, not trusting her if he were to turn his back, seeing and knowing what she was capable of.
"Ass," she huffed under her breath as she gathered her clothing.
"What was that?" he questioned, "If you have something to say, say it to where I can hear it, if not, don't say it all."
"Oh, it is nothing at all," she replied with sarcasam, closing the door behind her, locking it.
She turned around, putting her back against the door, sliding down it, sitting on the floor.
"So," she thought, staring at the tile on the floor, "today's the day, today's the day I'm going to find out how much my friends actually care for me and how much I messed up, whether I know it or not. They must care a lot, because if the tables were turned, I don't know if I could force myself to come to a head and do what they are going to do, but that is what makes me different from the others. Slade knows the first chance I get, I am going to turn against him, but until then, I must make my act believable, I know exactly how and who to do it to, it is only a matter of his cooperation to give me the chance. For this to succeed, Garfield must do this, he will be the only oen that will be able to make our act believable, and he knows this, it is vital that he gets into a position to allow me to do so. I know how he is, so this shouldn't be the hardest task I must achieve."
Raven looked up, a slight smile gracing her face.
"The more I think of it, especially him, the better things seem. In a sense, Garfield in my saviour, he may not know, but he will, and he will become it. My friend, and guardian is what he is, and will always remain."
The Tower was busy with activity as all of its inhabitants, the many guests included, were preparing for the operation that would save one of their own and take down one of the worst. Robin decided to lose the cape to his outfit, seeing how it tied him to being an adolescent, but instead replaced it with a rigging device that added to his utility belt, giving that many more gadgets and weapons to use against Slade and his army of robotic clones in a sense. Not only would he carry his staff, but he would also take along his tonfu, a club-like weapon that were very similar to that of what police carried before many forces switced to the retractable club. He sported two of them, both able to fold down and be stored much like his staff. They were made of the same material as his staff as well, making them very reselient in the heat of battle. With his new belt system, he also sported twice as many Birdarangs, along with the many different types of discs that he used, prepared to use them all. He even trimmed the corners of his mask in an attempt to sharpen them, giving him a more indimidating look, showing that he meant business. Robin decided to ditch his green coloring for black, replacing his gloves and pants, then going to the extent of adding external armor to his forearms and shins, along with his knees as well. Robin felt a hint of resentment as he added the armor, knowing that the very same armor had came from his apprentice outfit that Slade forced him to wear, but knew that it was for a good cause, making the notion quickly pass. His teammates were engaging in similar activites, preparing for the day ahead of them. Starfire didn't change her appearence much, but did add the metallic sleeves, leggings, and undershirt that was similar to her sister's, Blackfire, the same she wore when she first met her friends and became the Titans, giving her somewhat a little more protection. Cyborg seemed to enhance his armor by changing the compound to it, strengthening it, but increasing the weight greatly,all in all, remained with little change. Beast Boy was the only one of the Titans, let alone the honorary Titans, that remained unchanged, the others had some sort of enhancement to their usual attire, wether it be weaponry or protection. Everyone awaited Robin's appearence as they stood about, chattering amongst one another. Robin entered the room, silence engulfing the room, both out of respect and surprised at his new look. He tapped the microphone a couple times to be sure it was on and working.
"Today's the day," he started, unable to get more serious than he already was, "today, we, the Titans, all across the globe, are going to engage in a confrontation that is of equal proportions, if not greater than that of the Brotherhood of Evil dilemma. Most of you know how difficult and challenging this is going to be, so right here and now, is the absolute final chance to back out and leave. We will look on you no different than we do so now, you are our allies and friends, I understand that if you feel as if you can't go through with this, you are more than welcome to leave, no one is forcing you to do this, but your help is much appreciated."
Everyone kept looking on, refusing to leave Robin, wanting to fight by his side. Robin waited a few moments in case someone wanted to leave, not blaming them for doing so, seeing how they were risking thier very lives.
"Good," Robin began once more, "I really haven't anything else to say, so let's do it."
Everyone began applauding, amused, yet, respectful. Kid Flash tried to make himself seen.
"Hey," he called out, "where's the party going to be at after all this?"
He gained a few more supporters this time around, their laughter sounding in unison.
"Right here," Robin said with a smile, "when we get done, it will be right here. Seriously though, you all know where you are supposed to be and where to go, so, as I said, let's do this."
"Onward to victory!" Red Star exclaimed, standing up, determenation written upon his face.
The Titan-filled room ignited with enthusiastic cheers, those much similar to that of a football team preparing for a big game, except this wasn't a game, this was real, and the prices were weighty.
Before Robin gave the order, they were already pouring out the door at the rear of the room, making their way through the Tower, and waited outside on the island. Robin looked on the horizon, back behind the bridge, seeing dark, unforgiving clouds moving in, lightning flashing every so often in the distance. The wind picked up as well, pushing the black sky their way, but the sunny day remained for them for now.
"How ironic," Robin thought to himself, "the calm before the storm. This storm still won't be enough to stop us, because the calm is greater and will ensure victory, I can feel it."
Robin snapped out of his trance like state, staring at the sky, turning his attention back to his allies, seeing they were eager to get this operation underway.
"Alright," he announced, "those of you who can't fly, team up with someone who can, work something out. Those of you who don't have a flying partner, find one who can at least help you across the bay, unless you want to swim it." A couple of laughs were heard amongst the group, "you all know where the objective is, my team is leading the assault, you are to help us combat the robots, any questions?"
Silence remained, Robin smirked, knowing that he had the best fighting force ever assembled on the face of the Earth.
The cavernous room that was used to being basked in light, the lights suspended from the ceiling in a fashion that created dot-like arrangement, darkness in between those spots of light, was consumed with the black of night, only the errie glow of the robots' inferno red eyes visible in the darkness. One light remained on, bathing the raised platform that contained Slade's controls to whatever it is that he needed them for. He stood, gazing over his creations, Raven next to him, reluctantly, her eyes closed in a trance-like state. Slade diverted his attention from the darkened room to Raven.
"You see all of this before you, child?" Slade said with a motion of his hand, "this, this is what your friends are up against, my army, just like me in every way, so if they can't defeat me, then what are they going to do now?"
"We've overcame much greater odds, Slade, so don't get ahead of yourself," she replied back, her eyes still closed, "and I know them, I know how they work, they will have some kind of surprise up their sleeves."
"Raven," he started, slightly confused, and attempting to change the subject "please tell me why, tell me why you use so much resentment to me, as if you have forgotten what you and I have built as a relationship as family."
Surprised, Raven opened her eyes to face him, seeing that his stare wasn't as hard or as cold as it had been before. It pressured her only to force an answer.
"Slade," she started, still trying to find words, "you and I both know that even if my friends weren't coming, it wouldn't work out. I know that I may fill that void that Rose left, but think about it Slade, I cannot replace your own flesh and blood, I mean, she's your daughter, I'm not, that is about as simple as it gets. I will admit, I may not, well, exactly, like you as a father, but I do have a newly-found respect for you as a mentor and an adverasary. Who knows, one day, things might change, but right now, they must go back to the way they were before."
Slade lowered his head only a slight bit, barely noticable, but quickly recovered.
"I know this," he began, "but when she left, I had nothing left, she was my life, or what I had left of it. I've already lost two sons, my wife, and my daughter, I don't know if I could just let you go, that is what my problem is, Raven, I just can't seem to let you free, because if I do, I wouldn't be able to go on, I know it sounds...well, different, but you are all that remains."
Raven was completely caught off guard by this, she knew deep down sinsde of him, he cared for her, but not to this degree.
"This event on the horizion can be completely avoided if you let me go right now, I will force them from coming here, some way, some how, and will some way figure out something, I don't know. I mean, what you did to me was wrong, the whole capturing, forcing me to do your bidding, but you did teach me many things, things I would have never thought of learning on my own. So, in truth, you commited an act of injustice, but made up for it with one of teaching. To me, I view it as being even, but it is Robin and the others that have a different opinion about it, no matter what."
"And that, child," he replied, "is what is keeping me from doing what is right. Even if I released you, Robin would come for me, no matter what, he dislikes ever fiber of my being, and I don't blame him, he has every right to. The others wouldn't be so apt to come, but he would no matter what."
Raven gravely nodded her head, knowing it to be the truth.
"And I also know that you being one to do good your entire life suddenly jump to the other side of the spectrum has been quite a traumatic experience. You have even admitted though that your dark side that even you cannot contain has liked this, but your good is greater than your evil. I will say this to you Raven, this is the last thing I will ever ask of you, the events that are going to transpire today, all of it, are my last requests, from then on, only the future will tell."
"I-I-I can't," she managed, "I can't fight them, they are my friends, I know I've done wrong, but I need to redeem myself. I know I can't stand idle, but I can't fight them."
"I'm not asking you to Raven," he replied, "as I said and hold to our agreement, if you are attacked or not able to escape, I expect you to fight back."
Raven remembered their worded agreement when she decided to go though with this.
"Also," Slade said after a moment, "that device that delievers the serum? Keep it, do as you wish. Consider it a gift. Terra taught me many things, wether I realized them at the time or not, and that is how I have had somewhat better success with you as an apprentice. When you or one of your friends do get a chance to free her from her current state, please tell her that I am, well, somewhat sorry and regret the extent I went, no matter what her response is to it, ok?"
She nodded again, but bringing her hand up, running it across the metallic "S" symbol attached to her armor that went around her neck and from shoulder to shoulder, much like Slade's. Raven, being in the predicament that she was in, seemed to start to have second thoughts about her chosen course of action. She quickly shook them from her head, knowing that it was the only way, knowing that there was no other. It had to be done, even if the outcome was not one she liked, but she had to try.
"I'm sorry," she thought, dropping her hand to her side again, "but I know what must be done, even if that means ruining what I have built. Even though I have built this, there is nothing in this world that is greater than the bond I share with my friends, no matter what."
"I've got a definite lock on her signal!" Robin yelled over the rushing wind, Starfire flying him over the treetops, gripping him by his arms as usual.
"How much further is it?" Starfire questioned, Beast Boy's morphed form carrying Cyborg in a similar manner, coming closer to hear.
"Not much, just keep going this direction for a few more minutes, we will be there in no time," he informed, pointing forward.
Starfire nodded, looking back to see all of the honorary Titans in tow, the ones not posessing the ability to fly were being transported in a similar manner to that of Robin's.
"We shall be victorius, Robin," Starfire bodly stated, getting his attention.
"I know Star," he replied, "I know, we will, Raven's coming home today, I know it, we all do."
Starfire looked forward, leading the large group of heroes with Robin in her hands. Still, his condition troubled her, both he and her knew that it was going to inhibit his abilites to a degree, wether it be noticable or not was unknown, only what laid ahead would reveal the answer, Starfire hoped it was an answer she was going to not regret.
