The group of heroes led by Robin and Starfire out front skimmed over the treetops, a branch or two hitting his dangling feet every so often. He squinted his eyes against the wind, looking ahead for their targeted objective. Robin noticed a clearing atop a raised area of land; a lavish house with well-kept grounds around it appeared, standing out against the forest.
"Down there, Star," he informed, pointing at the clearing, looking up at her.
She nodded, changing her direction in flight, the others behind her following suit.
Starfire glided down to the clearing, slowing her decent, enough to release Robin, allowing him to land on his feet, dashing alongside Starfire as she remained in the air. B.B. did the same with Cyborg, morphing back into his human form, running along with him. The honorary Titans did the same, the flightless being dropped off while those who could remained in the air, following along with those on the ground. Robin motioned for Cyborg to follow him, preparing to get his plan of attack underway.
"How's this going down again?" Cyborg questioned in a hushed voice as they ran up a small embankment to a small building that was made of nothing but concrete, the only things gracing its exterior was the power conduit box and the door entrance, the rest was bland granite gray.
"We cut the power," Robin explained in a similar tone, "split all of us up into two groups, the first follows us in, the second waits for my signal. Red X and the Hive 5 are going to basically run interference, and watch our backs. If we need them, I'll call for them, other than that, I don't want them anywhere near us."
Cyborg nodded as Robin named of the various things that were going to take place, taking them into consideration.
"Wait here, don't cut it until I give you the signal," Robin ordered, jogging back to Starfire and the others, who were as alert as they possibly could be, knowing that it could spell trouble if they were caught off guard, especially being in such a large group and so close together.
Cyborg brandished his saw from his forearm, holding it to the steel-braided cable that contained the power to the underground lair.
Starfire turned back to face Robin as he came up to her.
"Are we ready to commence yet, Robin?" she questioned, using a serious tone, even her knowing what was going on.
"Almost," he replied, turning his attention to the silent group, "listen up, I need you to divide up into the two groups as we planned back at the Tower. The first group is following me in, the second will come in if 5 minutes have passed or you are called in by any one of us for support. Red X, you and your "team" will watch our 6 and the same applies for you, only come in if you are called, other than that, you are staying up here."
"Whatever, kid," he replied, stepping forward, "whatever makes it easier for you and me and still gets me my Xenothium, then it all works out."
Robin turned his attention away from him out of disgust, not believing that someone could be so selfish, especially at a time like this.
"Robin?" Starfire questioned in a voice that seemed to stab at him, forcing him to pay attention.
"Yeah, Star?" He replied, looking up.
"We aren't leaving until Raven comes home, are we?" she asked, compassion in her jade eyes.
"No, I don't care how long it takes, but Raven will come home, Starfire, and Slade will pay for what he has done. Raven is more than just a friend to us; she is family, we all have come together out of despair and tragedy. These things may have been the dark shadows of our past, but think about it, if they hadn't happened, we would have never met, any of us. As any good brother or sister or significant other should do, watch out for one another and help them when they are in need. Starfire, Raven needs us, she needs our help, and she will get it, I promise you."
She smiled weakly and nodded, allowing Robin to continue on up the embankment, back to an awaiting Cyborg. He looked up from the cable, seeing Robin. Robin pointed at him.
"Do it," he ordered, watching the saw's blade grow closer and closer to the cable.
With a quick flick of his hand, Cyborg severed the cable, electrical sparks coming off of the exposed ends. Robin quietly crept around the side of the concrete structure, finding Red Star and Wildebeest pulling the heavy, metallic doors apart with their superior strength, revealing the large service elevator. Robin led the first group in, brandishing a series of exploding and smokescreen discs, Starfire following close behind, activating her powers, her Starbolts glowing in her hands, her eyes glowing the same as well. Cyborg transformed his arm into his Sonic Cannon, B.B. just followed in behind him, ready to attack. Robin only squinted his eyes as the doors closed shut, ready for whatever laid ahead of him.
The raised platform was the only area in the entire complex where light was visible, the white-hot light heating Raven's skin just by her merely standing in its basking warmth. The light flickered, then shutting off, drenching them in darkness, Raven opening her eye wider in an attempt to see through the piercing black. No sooner than the light went off, the emergency generator kicked on, activating its adjacent light, one of a blood-red nature, giving the look of being soaked in the crimson water. Raven didn't like the sight, knowing that all that was missing was the liquid feeling, knowing what her blood, as well as others felt and looked like, sickened by it.
"Seems as if your friends are knocking on my door," Slade coolly stated, knowing they were coming, "I will commend Robin, he did attempt to use a plan instead of blindly charging in, but he probably has a back-up plan, well, as do I."
Raven listened and looked at him, attempting to get her concentration off of the blood-colored lighting.
Before he could answer, the ominous sound of the elevator coming down the shaft began, causing what lighting was available to dim, pulling power away from it to power the descending elevator. The sound shuddered to a stop, Raven held her breath, knowing that silence was never a good thing, especially now. The tranquility was shattered in a split second, a deafening explosion rocketed through the doors, sending debris and shrapnel in all directions, even damaging some of the robots concealed in the darkness. The think black smoke only continued to billow out, giving ample cover for whoever was behind it. Slade's expression and posture remained unchanged, but Raven was startled, jumping at the sight and sound of the explosion. No sooner than Raven was able to refocus her vision on the thick cloud, A figure leapt through it, wearing red and black, dark grey armor, and pulling out a pair of tonfu, landing on the smooth floor, skidding to a halt.
"Where is she!" Robin yelled, staring directly at Slade, ready to fight.
"Who, Robin?" taunted Slade, his voice bellowing, "if it is your friend Raven, she no longer exists, only my apprentice remains here, and she is right over there."
Slade pointed to his right, another blood-red floodlight activated, illuminating a standing Raven, still wearing the outfit he gave her, but her blue cape covered her hunched posture, only the top of her neck armor and black undershirt was exposed at the top. She looked up to see them, her face distraught with decision, her amethyst eyes bathed in red light.
"Release her this instant!" Ordered Starfire, coming through the cloud that was still billowing.
"I've got a sonic blast with your name on it, asshole," Cyborg threatened, stepping into view, aiming his built-in cannon right at Slade.
Beast Boy appeared as well, the most serious face he could possibly posses graced it, not saying a word, only staring down the one-eyed mastermind villain.
"My, my," Slade stated in their presence, "you have saved me the trouble of hunting all of you down. On to matters at hand, if you even want to get to Raven, you have to go through them."
Slade snapped his fingers, causing row after row after row of the blood-colored lights to activate, illumination the robots that were lined up in formation, as far as the eye could see, their inferno eyes all shifting, staring at Robin at the same time, all in the same menacing manner.
"Now," he continued in his dominating tone, "what are you going to do Robin, you and your team are easily outnumbered and overmatched, I mean honestly, if you can't defeat me, the what makes you think you can defeat something that is possibly more powerful and more numerous than your simple mind could posses?"
Robin only smirked, getting somewhat of a surprised expression out of Slade.
"I have only one thing to say to that, Slade," he announced, the other Titans readying for what was coming, "Titans, GO!"
Red Star, Kid Flash, Argent, and friends leapt out from behind the dissipating smoke, charging the first rows of Slade-esque machines.
"Robots, attack!" Slade ordered in an attempt to counterattack Robin's plan.
The robots leapt to life, the first several rows charged headlong towards the attacking Titans, remaining in formation, seeking out targets. Slade turned his head to Raven, knowing that his robots were capable of handling themselves for the time being.
"Quite an interesting sight, is it not?" he questioned, "two large forces pitted in battle against one another, this is going to be well worth the while. I will admit this, Raven, Robin did catch me off guard by enlisting the aid of the honorary Titans, but no matter, even with all of them, they are outnumbered 10 to 1, if not greater."
"You are going to be in for the shock of your life," Raven warned, "I know what they are capable of, and as I said, we have overcame much more surmountable odds before, so this is nothing more than a minor skirmish to them. I suggest you prepare yourself for battle, Slade, because the fight is going to come this way, soon, very soon."
Slade squinted his eye at Raven's comment, focusing on the melee that was basically taking place right before his very eyes.
Each turned from one another, witnessing the carnage taking place before their very eyes. Raven looked on with amazement as Robin, surrounded, still contained determination upon his weary face, waiting for one to attack. It did so, Robin blocking the robot's devastating swing with one of his tonfu, thrusting the other upwards, through the robot's metallic head, sending bits of debris and circuitry out the exit wound. No sooner than the robot deactivated, Robin spun around, removing the weapon from its head, and countering against another, thrusting it through it through the midsection of the other, drawing his foot up to kick the machine off of it. Robin handled the situation skillfully, Raven's eyes still glued on him in disbelief. She only refocused her attention to stare at Starfire, who had a robot on either side of her, holding her fists against her will, a third charging her, fist ready to strike. A short blast from her eyes severed the machine in half, surprising the other two, one giving her enough room to position her trapped hand, blasting the head off of the robot that held her other, releasing it. No sooner than it did, she drew up a fist, bringing it back, and swinging violently at the remaining attempted detainer, sending its mangled remains flying through the air, and crashing into several more robots. Raven shifted her sight once more to find Cyborg and B.B. working in tandem, watching each other's back, Cyborg leveling attacking robots with his Sonic Cannon, Beast Boy shape-shifting into whatever animal he could think of that would prove useful in combat. She saw Robin get knocked down out of the corner of her eye, but saw how vigorously he shot back up and continued to attack, pushing further and further forward, attempting to get to Slade. She also noticed the many. Raven knew that Starfire was the most resilient of them all, but she watched her take devastating blow after blow, only to keep pressing forward, utterly destroying any opposition that stood in her way. Raven watched the honorary Titans fare against the robots, more of a standstill, but taking most of the heat off of Robin and the others. She turned to Slade, smirking, seeing his eye wide with amazement.
"What did I tell you, Slade?" Raven questioned in a taunting manner, "we should never be underestimated, no matter what."
Slade glanced at Raven, but quickly turning his attention back to Robin and the others, seeing they were easily advancing towards him.
"No witty quips, Robin?" Slade jested, staring him down.
Robin said nothing, continuing to march towards Slade's position, even ignoring the various robots that were ready to attack.
"Robots," Slade ordered, getting the attention of the remaining rows, numbering close to 30, "you will not attack, I will take care of these pests myself."
"Yes, Master," the robots said in obedience.
Robin continued, followed by Starfire, Cyborg, and B.B., all with the same intimidating, serious look upon their visages. He stopped, only a mere few feet from the base of the platform, slowly looking up at Slade, his stare as cold as ever.
"Now," he stated in attempt to be calm, "since I am sworn to uphold the law and protect, I say this for that reason, not out of pity or mercy, because I really don't want to. Slade, this is your absolute final chance to surrender and free Raven, if you continue to retaliate, I cannot guarantee your survival of the outcome of this fight."
Slade narrowed his eye, then threw his head back and let out a rarely-heard laugh, its sound was just as evil in nature as he was. He looked at Robin once more, his stare still unchanged.
"You are quite a riot, Robin," Slade sneered, "for a moment there, I actually felt threatened, but the notion quickly passed."
Robin's angered stare only hardened that much more at Slade's defiance.
"What pains you the most?" Slade coolly insulted, "the fact that my apprentice is just, well, better, or that your coming here was all in vain? Tell me, Robin, what's like going through life, failing at every turn?"
Robin clenched his fist tightly, reaching for his staff. Slade chuckled, turning towards Raven, seeing she was in some sort of a trance, as if she was deep in thought.
"Apprentice," he called out, getting her attention, "take care of these pests, they are starting to bore me."
Without a word, Raven leapt into action, going up and over the railing of the platform, flipping through the air, and landing gracefully on the smooth, marble floor. All but Robin jumped, taking a few steps backward, keeping their distance.
"How do expect to obtain victory if you can't come to the fact that she no longer sides with you?" Slade questioned, his hands behind his back, but his left palm resting on his holstered handgun, out of sight of Robin and the others.
A response wasn't heard from any of them, Raven looked at each of them, but her stare wasn't as hard and menacing as it had been in their previous engagement. She charged them, sprinting, but instead of attacking Robin, the nearest of them, she vaulted over him and tackled Beast Boy to the ground, rolling several feet away, struggling.
"Beast Boy!" Robin called out, preparing to attack Raven and get her off of him.
"No!" he managed, struggling with Raven, "Get Slade!"
Robin nodded, turning back to face the one-eyed madman. Beast Boy was pinned to the ground, Raven holding his arms down, on top of him, yet he continued to struggle to get free. She leaned forward, closer to his face.
"Not bad," she whispered, "now, get me off of you and will go from there, got it?"
He nodded as she drew her head back again. Beast Boy morphed into rodent, easily scurrying out from under Raven's weight. He morphed again, this time into a gorilla, grabbing hold of her with both of his large, ape hands. Raven attempted to get free, but his superior strength in that form. She squirmed free, pushing off of the green ape's arms, and flipped over his back. No sooner than she landed and before he could turn to face her once more, Raven swept his feet out from him, but he morphed back into his human form to break his fall somewhat. Before he could recover, Raven took him into a headlock from behind while he was still seated on the ground.
"So far, so good," she whispered again, not wanting to attract attention, "still, are you even trying?"
"Not really, all you said to do was act," he replied in the same hushed tone, attempting to not laugh. "I have a request though."
"What's that?" she questioned, actually enjoying their faux fight.
"Could you loosen up a bit, I'm seeing spots and starting to black out," he managed, Raven's headlock taking effect.
"Sorry," she apologized, lightening her squeeze a little.
Beast Boy managed to get a hold of her arms by the shoulders, and flipped her over his back, slamming her on the ground in front of him. Dazed, Beast Boy made his move, leaping on top of her, putting her in the same position that he was in only moments ago.
'Well," he stated quietly, trying to be funny, "this seems really familiar."
She smiled a little bit, finally appreciating his attempts to be funny. While the continued to act out their conflict, Robin and the others had other tasks to attend to.
"Titans, Go!" He exclaimed, charging up to Slade, he just stood there, waiting for Robin's attack, knowing he was going to be the first to strike, having him figured out because Robin was so predictable. Robin came down with his staff, missing the agile Slade, striking the railing behind him, sparks from the metal-to-metal contact ignited off of it. Before Robin could follow up with another swing of his staff, Slade's foot found its way to Robin's chest, sending him through the air several feet before skidding to a halt on his stomach, his staff loose from his hands, skidding with him. Starfire was the next to attack, throwing numerous Starbolts at Slade, only to miss him as he swiftly dodged them, his agility and reaction time much quicker than the Tameranian. She gave up on her ranged attack, quickly darting from the air to the ground, drawing her fist back as she grew closer to Slade's standing figure, his menacing stare unchanged. Starfire struck, but Slade blocked with both arms crossed in front of him, sliding backwards several feet from the force of the impact. Starfire followed up with a kick that found its way to Slade's midsection, enough to surprise him, as well as knocking the wind out of him somewhat. As he stumbled backwards, she delivered a devastating uppercut upon Slade's chin, his body following the direction of the blow, going easily three feet off of the ground, and landing several feet away, slamming into the platform, skidding to a stop. He picked himself up, only to be knocked down again by Cyborg, who fired his Sonic Cannon, hitting him square in the chest, causing him to hit the ground again in a similar fashion as Starfire had delivered. Slade shot up quickly, his stare sharpened, finally realizing that he couldn't view them as nothing more than a minor threat any more, seeing that they were on par with his fighting skills. Robin attempted to strike him with his staff once more, instead of dodging, Slade stopped the metal bar with his hand, catching it, surprising Robin. Slade siezed the moment, driving his other fist into Robin's face, sending him reeling backwards, but kept hold of his staff. Robin shook his head, attempting to shake the blinding pain, but to no avail.
"Give it up, Robin," Slade taunted, "this battle was already done before it began, and you and I both know who the victor is, so why don't you just give it up already, you and your friends, all of them, haven't a chance against me and my, well, army."
Robin narrowed his already strong glare at Slade, Starfire landing next to him. He doubled up his fists, preparing to charge him.
"That's it, Robin," Slade said to himself in his mind, resting his palm on his concealed handgun again, waiting, "make your move, I know you all too well."
Starfire watched Robin out of the corner of her eye, but kept a studious stare upon Slade as well, making sure that he didn't try anything. She noticed Robin's posture showed that he was ready to charge Slade, but also noticed that Slade was acting way too levelheaded, even for him. Before Starfire could warn Robin, whether he noticed the same thing or not, he took off across the expanse between them, running directly to him.
"Robin!" Starfire called out, attempting to get his attention, but noticed that he was determined and dead-set on attacking Slade again.
Within striking distance, Robin lept into the air to come down with his foot on Slade, but noticed him pulling something from behind his back in the blink of an eye, his eye narrowing as Robin saw it line up with the iron sights of a gun. Robin froze, unable to escape the path of the gun, even if he wanted to, still in midair, Slade let out a slight chuckle as he began applying pressure to the trigger. A thunderous explosion erupted from the barrel of the gun, the slide traveling backwards, ejecting the shell, the bullet set on its path, the very same path directed at Robin. The bullet traveled at blinding speed, invisible to the naked eye. It finally arrived at its target in less than a second after firing, finding its way to Robin's flesh on his right shoulder, piercing the skin in an wound that seemed to erupt off the skin, blood spraying from it as it entered. The bullet exited in the same fashion. Robin fell from his leap in the air, landing on his injured shoulder, a streak of crimson water followed the very same path his body did on the ground. He layed there, attempting to get up, holding his shoulder, the blood still flowing from in between his fingers.
"What's the saying I'm looking for Robin?" Slade started, watching his adversary's vain attempt of continuing to fight, "ah yes, Always expect the unexpected, because Robin, I am full of surprises."
Starfire's body froze out of horror, watching the bullet hit Robin, the gore erupting from it, and his body slamming into the floor, Slade still pointing the gun in his direction. She finally regained control of herself, doubling her fists up, a low growl coming forth. She let out a battlecry, flying only inches off the ground, straight for Slade. Slade shifted his attention to the Tameranian girl, sighting his gun on her. He fired, watching the bullet hit her, but only penetrating the skin, and nothing more. Slade managed to get off three more shots into her chest and midsection before she was upon him, her fist reared back as far as she could do so. Starfire swung with all her might, clocking Slade across the bronzed side of his mask, her hand easily crumpling the metallic makeup of it, only stopping against his true face underneath of it. He flew through the air, sliding across the floor, coming to a halt at Raven's feet, who had B.B. pinned against a wall, acting as if she was actually hurting him. She continued to act, but noticed how her friends were fairing against him. He blinked his eye, rising quickly, gun still in hand, charging back towards Starfire.
"Let's see if you can take any more than that," he sneered, bringing it up once more.
He fired, but it was different from the others, this shot actually hurt her, going into her chest, where her heart should be, but her resilence stopped it short, but it still pained her. She dropped to her knees, as if the wind had been knocked out of her. Slade meekly walked passed her and right up Robin, who was on his knees now, still trying to get up and assist, seeing that Cyborg was fighting off robots again, Starfire was hurt, and Beast Boy had his hands full with Raven, or so it would seem anyways. Robin's vision darted up to Slade's standing figure as he felt the cold steel barrel pushed against his forehead, just above his eyes in the center.
"I do say this," he started, "over these few years, Robin, you have been quite an adversary, a thorn in my side at times, but as most villains do to some extent, I respect you, but it seems as if the better combatant has obtained victory." he pulled the hammer back on his handgun, "oh, and if Terra really is dead and unrevivable, say hello to her for me will you."
Robin closed his eyes preparing for the worst, but instead, heard the faint twirling sound similar to one of his discs. He opened his eyes in time to see a sharp metallic object strike Slade on the inside of his forearm that held the gun to his head, imbedding into his flesh. He reared back, dropping the weapon. gripping it with his good hand. Slade removed in with a vigorus tug, blood coming with it, a dark grey "S" symbol, blood dripping off of one tip of it. He looked where it came from, surprise and anger all in one expression, seeing Raven and B.B. standing side by side, ready to attack. He flung the metallic emblem into the floor, sticking straight up, the end still stained crimson where it had punctured his skin. His eye filled with intense hatred and anger, watching his gun engulf in dark energy, floating towards Raven outstretched hand, which was in the same energy. She quickly closed her palm, the gun disaassembled right before his eyes, dropping the various parts at her feet, each having a distinct sound as it struck the marble floor.
Silence engulfed between them, only the sounds of the battle between the honorary Titans and Slade's robots could be heard. They stared at one another, their soundless eye contact seemed to speak their minds, as if both knew what each was saying.
"You and I both know this was coming," Raven meekly stated after a moment, breaking the silence, feeling a slight twinge of regret.
"You will pay for your insubordination!" Slade yelled, clenching his fists.
"You aren't the boss of me any longer!" Raven yelled back, "unless you want this to take a turn for the worst, I suggest that you let me and my friends go. I'll admit it, I actually thought about staying, but I care for them too much, and watching you, watching what you almost did to him, gave me a reality check, and it proves just that, I can stay here no longer."
"Is that what you want? Is it?" Slade questioned, still tensed up with fury, "then so be it, but you child, aren't leaving here, well, alive anyways."
Raven narrowed her vicious stare at him, but broke eye contact, turning to B.B., seeing Stafire with the wounded Robin in her arms, Cyborg finishing off one of the remaining attack robots in the group that Slade sent after them.
"Beast Boy," she started, only to where he could hear her, "you and the others need to leave, now."
"No," he replied back, "we aren't going to abandon you, we came to save you, and that is what we are going to do."
"Listen to me," Raven pleaded, taking hold of his hands, "I and only I can do this, and I don't know if I can guarentee your safety the longer you stay. I know you came to get me, and I assure you, I will come with you."
"Raven," B.B. pleaded, refusing to leave her side again, "don't."
She pulled him in closer with her arms, giving him a kiss, tears beginning to flow from her eyes, running down her ashen cheeks. It seemed to last an eternity, their true feelings for one another entertwining with the other's. She released, slowly drawing her head back, running one of her hands down his cheek.
"Please," she asked, "please, Garfield, go."
B.B. reluctantly nodded, slowly turning around, walking to the others.
"What's going on?" Cyborg questioned, watching for any other attacking robots.
"We need to get out of here, now," he informed, "It's for our own good."
"What?" Cyborg exclaimed, "we come in here for h-"
"We need to get out of here, don't argue, Raven doesn't want us to be here, probably for several reasons, she promised she would come with us after she did what she needed to do." Beast Boy reiterrated in the same voice.
Cyborg finally realized what he was talking about.
"Alright," he announced, "let's go then, the others probably need our help."
"What about Robin?" Starfire questioned, twinging at her own pain, blood still flowing forth from her own wounds.
He turned to see the condition that either of them were in.
"Both of you need to go to the surface and wait for us, you or him ain't in no condition to be fighting," Cyborg ordered, pointing to the elevator doors, in which the fighting was taking place between them and it.
Starfire nodded, lifting off the ground enough to glide across the floor, her injuries slowing her down somewhat. The others dashed into the fray, but Beast Boy remained, turning around, watching Raven, watching her stare Slade down. He finally turned, his instinct telling that he must, but his heart told him otherwise.
"I really hope you know what you are doing, Raven," he thought to himself, morphing into a cheetah, running at blistering speed into combat with the robots, looking for a way out.
