The sky seemed to darken as the day went on, readying itself for a torrentchal downpour. The midnight black clouds flashed with lightning and rumbled violently with thunder. Late autumn was always full of surprises, it could snow on a moment's notice, or look like a beautiful late summer day, it was always changing, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, always being unpredictable. The Tower was nearly empty, all were still out, all except for Starfire and Robin, give or take a few of the honorary Titans, the ones who were far too injured to be helping with the cause. Silence seemed to grip the interior of it, as the they anticipated the return of the rest of their allies and friends, hopefully bringing the best of knews, or even better, Raven herself. Robin sat up on the couch, his arm still in sling from his grevious wound. Starfire seated next to him, watching the sky in the distance looking so fierce, and coming this way. She had her knees to her chest, resting her chin upon them, thinking.
"Do you think friend Raven is alright, Robin?" she finally questioned, breaking the errie silence between them, watching the wind outside begin to pick up in magnitude.
He turned to her, caught off-guard by her question, but knowing it was going to eventually come.
"I know she is, Star, Raven's stronger than that, I mean she did defeat her father, and he was what? Basically the ruler of a hellish alternate dimension? I know she's fine Star, probably like us, banged up a little, but with a little rest, she'll be back on her feet in no time," Robin assured, saying anything that would help calm Starfire down, but feeling the same as she did inside.
"I really hope you're right," she replied, turning to him, "there is just something deep down inside of me that is saying that something awful has happened to friend Raven, and I pray that it isn't true, Robin. I really do hope you're right."
"As do I," he added, also trying to think of something to lighten the mood, "it's been awhile."
Starfire looked confused, raising an eyebrow.
"It's been awhile to what?" she questioned.
"Since, well, we started dating, I mean, how long ago was it, almost a year, close to it isn't it?" He started, knowing that the subject would get her off of her constant worrying for Raven for a moment.
"I know, Robin, and every moment has been most enjoyable," she replied, cracking a smile.
"There was something I was wanting to ask you, but it can wait, and believe me, it will be worth it," he informed, looking at the menacing clouds as they grew closer, starting to pass over the bridge that spanned the bay, lightning dancing across the sky every so often, the thunder making itself heard only moments later.
"What is it?" she anxiously questioned, wanting to know what was so secerative that he must behave the way he was.
"Believe me Star, you'll know, you'll know, I can't tell you now, but I will," he managed with a smile, but deep down inside still thinking about Raven and if she safe.
"Please, Robin?" she begged, as if she were in a normal mood, nothing gone ary.
Robin only shook his head, smiling, as if he were telling a child. Starfire slumped back in her seat, folding her arms across her chest, acting like a spoiled child that didn't get their way.
For a moment, everything seemed normal, Robin not feeling the intense pressure of his current situation, nor Starfire's overly outpouring of emotion, whether it be good or bad. Yet, the normalcy was soon shattered. Robin turned his head at an ever-so familiar sound of the elevator traveling up the shaft to the hall, the very same that led to the central room in which he was located. They both picked up the sound of the elevator stopping at the top, the doors opening, follwed by the sound of footsteps belonging to many different owners, knowing that they had returned. The thunder rumbled more violently than ever, rattling some of the objects around them. The doors whooshed upon as they always did, but those who came through it appeared to be saddened. Robin got up from his seated position upon the sofa, knowing something was wrong, and he didn't want to believe what his instincts were telling him. One after another, Titan after Titan, all bore the same expression, his doubt quickly turning into reality. He finally saw Cyborg, Beast Boy next to him, seeing his eyes reddened and cheeks stained with tears. Starfire had gotten up as well, following Robin as he approached Cyborg and B.B.
"What's going on?" Robin quickly questioned, hoping for a good answer.
Before Cyborg could say a word, Beast Boy started sobbing once more, Starfire taking him away for comfort.
"God no, please tell me, God no," Robin said, his worse fears starting to materialize.
"Raven's..." he managed, voice breaking.
"Raven's what?" Robin questioned back, wanting to know the truth.
"Raven's...dead," he finished, a tear strolling down his human face.
Robin was devestated, he knew that something like this was to happen, but didn't expect it to.
"A-A-Are you sure?" Robin managed, trying to retain his composure.
Cyborg wiped away his tear, trying to prepare himself to inform Robin of their findings.
"Beast Boy, God help him," he started, "out of all of us, he had to be the one to find all of it."
"All of what, Cyborg?" Robin pressured, "What did he find?"
"We found way too much evidence to support it, Robin," he began, "first it was a tattered piece of her cape, soaked with blood. Next, he found the broach that held her cape together around her neck, shattered and lay in ruins. Finally, he found a pool of blood that would match up with how long it had been down there, a sword lay in it I ran a test right then and there, and it came back as to belonging to Raven. We searched and searched, but we couldn't find a body, no trace of it at all, but Robin, think about it, what we did find is too much evidence supporting her death."
Unlike the others, Robin wasn't feeling sadness, nor grieving, he felt rage, fury, a thirst for vengence, trying to keep himself from doing the unthinkable to those who were behind this and played a part, no matter how small.
"What about Slade then?" He finally questioned Cyborg, after the news finally set it.
"He's dead as well, we found him, or what was left of him, a short while later," Cyborg stated, "she didn't die in vain, Robin, she took that bastard with her."
"Are you positive he's dead, I mean, he was dead before, and came back, what makes you so sure it is permanent this time?" Robin continued to badger him, wanting to know all the facts.
"He was crushed by debris, there was nothing left of him from his midsection down. His right arm was mangled, and half of his head was missing. The most disturbing thing I've ever seen. I highly doubt he will come back, especially after that," Cyborg stated, but knowing that Robin would see to it that he was truly dead.
Robin turned to find Starfire hugging Beast Boy, patting him on the back, meeting eyes with Robin, unoblivious as to what was going on.
"So he's the one that found all of that?" Robin finally questioned, trying to retain his calm.
"Yeah, he didn't deserve to find that, he didn't deserve any of this, all of this is just ripping what heart he had left after Terra out. I knew them two loved each other dearly, but neither would reveal it, and after they did, it was shattered. He didn't deserve it," Cyborg stated, but remembering something from his own statement. "Speaking of Terra..."
"What about her?" Robin questioned, "she's still a statue."
Cyborg pulled out a device from a small access hatch from his forearm, handing it to Robin, the very same device that Raven had posession of.
"What is this?" he questioned, pushing a a button on it, a drill bit protruding out of it, the handle folding downwards.
"I ran an analysis on that when I found it, it contains all the items that Raven stole, you know, the Xenothium, the microchips, the liquid diode crystal, all of them. All of these things are in that device. That device also has a serum that basically jumpstarts someone's heart and breathing, much like adrenalin, but if my hypothesis is correct, that can revive someone."
"So Slade was planning on reviving Terra? Why would he do that, I mean, she killed him the first time around," Robin deduced, "to me, that seems kinda stupid."
"It's deeper than that, Robin," Cyborg replied, "I think he needed closure or something, even for him, I don't think he could have lived with what he did to Terra, so he tried to make peace with himself."
"He doesn't need to now, but we can revive her, can't we?" Robin asked, pulling the first trigger on it, the drill bit beggining to spin.
"I'd assume so, I don't see why not, but maybe we should hold off on it for awhile, know what I mean?"
Cyborg motioned to B.B., Starfire finally deciding to lead him to his room.
"How are we going to break it to Star, I mean, if BB broke down like that, then what's she going to do, it would be like ten fold," Robin questioned his friend.
"The only thing we can do, just tell her, the sooner we can get through this situation, the better off we will be in the long run," Cyborg replied, trying to help. "I know it sounds like fogetting Raven, but it isn't, the longer we dwell upon grieving her death, the more and more it is going to affect us over our lifetime, especially Star, I mean, look at her, she is so outwardly with her emotions, she could be depressed and sad, not to metion the nonstop crying that could last for weeks, maybe longer. Robin, I know we are going to miss Raven, but we must quickly go through with this, the city needs us, maybe now more than ever, just one of burdens of being a hero, you and I both know that."
Robin nodded, agreeing with everything Cyborg said, knowing no matter how bad it sounded, he was right, and he must do what was right. No sooner than he broke conversation with Cyborg, Starfire returned from Beast Boy's room, closing the door with the push of a button on the wall.
"What is going on, Robin? Why is friend Beast Boy sobbing ever so?" She questioned, concerned for her friend.
Robin pulled her to the side, getting closer to her.
"Do you have any idea as to what is going on Star?" He politely questioned, pushing some of her red hair back behind her ear.
"Please tell me it has nothing to do with Raven does it, I really hope it doesn't, please Robin, don't tell me it does," she begged.
"Starfire, please, just listen, what I am going to tell you is the truth, I wouldn't lie about something like this," Robin attempted to start, knowing that every passing moment, it was becoming more difficult to tell her.
Starfire remained silent, knowing what Robin had to tell her couldn't be good.
"Starfire," Robin tried, lifting her chin up to make eye contact with her, "Raven...is..."
"Is what Robin?" she interrrupted, wanting to know the well-being of her friend.
"Raven's...dead, Star," he finally managed, paining him as if someone had stabbed him in the heart.
Starfire's deposition went quickly from her concern to grief, her eyes welling up with tears, shimmering within them.
"No...no...that can't be possible," she quivered, not wanting to believe the truth, "no, you aren't telling the truth, Robin, no, friend Raven isn't dead."
"Star, it is true, please, don't make this any harder than it already is," Robin managed, hating to see her in such a saddened and depressed mood.
She dropped to her knees, letting out a wail of sorrow, tears streaming from her eyes, down her face, and dropping upon the floor, as if someone had released the floodgates. Robin knelt down as well, Starfire wrapping her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder, muffling her sobs, Robin comforting her.
"Why...Raven?..." She managed through her sobs.
"She sacrificed herself to save us, the city, possible more, she didn't die in vain, I know it is difficult right now, Star, but time will heal all of us," Robin attempted to explain to her, her naive nature making it that much more difficult.
Starfire knew Robin was right, but it didn't seem that way at the moment, all that presented itself was the loss of a friend, a friend that she had come to know and love almost as if she were family.
"Come on, Star," Robin gently tugged at her as he lifted her up with him, "I'll take you to your room."
She understood why, and hoped that he whould stay with her as well.
As he turned to look out the window once more, he saw the vicious storm was upon them, raindrops beginning to pelt the plate-glass windows of the Tower, lightning and thunder ever vigilant.
"A dark cloud on our lives is passing over us right now, but as with all weather, it will only take time and only time for this to clear," Robin compared the current situation at hand to the ferocious weather outside the walls of the Tower, all understanding what he was getting at.
The next day was just as dark and gloomy as the one before it had ended, rain pattering upon the ground in rapid succession, the temperature dropping ever so low, almost to the point of freezing. Robin and Cyborg stayed up into the wee hours of the morning, planning out today, the day that they would put one of their own, Raven, to rest. No matter how much they resented doing it, it must be done, they all knew it must be done in order for them to make peace with themselves and quit filling with false hopes of her return, knowing the cold, hard truth was just that: Raven was dead, and nothing was bringing her back. The set up the central room similar to that when they had the debeifing for the mission to save her, but had a small memorial setup at the front, on the raised platform. It consisted of a portrait picture of Raven, one of her happier moments, actually having a minute simle upon her face, changing her facade greatly. Along with the picture was one of her broaches, roses on either side of the picture, alternating in colors of red, violet, and black, each representing something different about the mysterious Raven. Robin understood that the honorary Titans only brought what was on their person, not expecting to come memorate the very person they were trying to save, so he made this into more of a showing, knowing that their would be a much more personal ceremony later that evening only for those closest to her, the very people she lived and fought along side with. Everyone took their seats in orderly fashion, filing reluctantly into their places readying themselves for the service that was set to begin at noon, the time being only minutes away. Robin, as well as the regular inhabitants of th Tower, were dressed in black, the men in suits and ties, Starfire wearing a simple black dress for formal occasions, or for regretable ones such as this. All was unusually silent, wanting to pay their respects to a fellow fallen ally, waiting for what Robin and her closest of close friends had to speak of on her behalf. Robin was the first to have the courage to take the podium, not being one that was shy of a crowd, but this occasion just made it that much harder to find words. He gingerly adjusted his feet, as if he were stalling for time, still trying to think of something worthy to say on Raven's behalf.
"We are here today to remember one of our own, a Titan, a fellow ally that fell in the line of duty. That Titan's name was Raven, and she wasn't just any Titan, she was my friend, a very close friend at that. Raven was more than a friend as well, she was family, all of us here in this Tower looked to one another as family, and nothing would ever change that, no matter what. It is difficult dealing with any loss, but the loss of family and friend is something that no one wants to experience, and we have. I will sat this though, Raven did make a mistake, a grave one, but by the very same will that made that mistake, she saved me. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here today. It if wasn't for her, many of us, if not all of us, woulnd't be here today. Raven made that grave mistake, but made up for it, she denounced her mistakes and took on her opposition without a second thought, even knowing of the concequences. She fought as valiantly as ever, no one could ask for more than what she done, her sacrifice wasn't in vain either. Raven destroyed the very same evil influence that was upon her that would have easily taken control of all we hold dear, but she prevented that, even at her great cost. I leave you wtih this, Raven was a Titan, a friend, family, and nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever change that."
Many, if not all agreed with Robin's comments about Raven's services and deeds to the city, as well as around the world. Cyborg waited for Robin to step down before taking his place at the podium.
"When I first met Raven, man, I thought she was something different," he started, trying to lighten the mood any at all, knowing it was most likely in vain, but yet he attempted, "I knew she was going to be something special when we started working together as a team, her powers were incredible, I had never seen anything like them before then. At first she turned us away, yet she remained, as if she wanted us around, or even needed us. Raven eventually came around, becoming a very good friend, and as Robin put it, a family member, one that I never had and probably needed in life before I became a Titan. She was always there for me when I needed her and likewise, almost as if I were an older brother, yet she was sometimes the big sister. I knew she would come back to us, but I didn't know it was going to come at such a great cost to all, but all in all, she made the right decision, even ridding the world of a great evil that should have been put to rest a long time ago, Raven knowing that she was the one to do so, and knew the cost, and still went through with it. Raven was the most honorable person I know, and probably will be the only one I remember for doing so in the future, because no one or nothing will ever replace her."
Again, Cyborg could almost feel the unison of agreement with his true statement, stepping down, allowing Starfire to say what she needed to say in rememberence to her friend.
"Friend Raven was always dark and gloomy, she never seemed to want to join in on the fun that we had when we did the out of hanging. Raven and I are complete opposites, or so what I am told by Robin and Cyborg, which I understand to a degree, but there are many things were able to do together, I would engage in the meditating with her, and in turn she would go with me to the grand mall of shopping. These little things we did together as friends are the very same things I remember Raven greatly for, for being my friend, and being one of truly understanding, I am still naive to Earth customs, but Raven was always there to help me when I became confused, especially at the mall of shopping. Raven was my friend, and she will always remain that in my heart."
Starfire's eyes welled up with even more tears as she stepped down from the podium, going straight to Robin for comfort. Beast Boy slowly made his way to the podium that his fellow teammates had spoke at, calm as he possibly could be.
"Today, my teammates have spoke of what Raven was to them, Robin said she stood for honor, Cyborg said for integrity, and Starfire for friendship. I agree with all of them, but Raven was something more, especially to me. Raven was the love of my life, and I never knew it to be true until it was too late. My constant childhood antics and her usual demenaor tended to push one another away from each other, prolonging the truth. By the time I grew up enough to understand what I had, Raven had left for a journey, the very same journey that took a turn for the worse. Even after all hope seemed lost, I never gave up, and finally admitted the truth to her, possibly the thing that turned her back to what she once held to keep from making a grave mistake. When the others gave up, I did not, I knew Raven, I knew she was still a Titan, and I knew she would remain that way, no matter what. Her untimely death is very tragic indeed, but what made it that much more difficult was Raven was the only person I actually thought of spending the rest of my life with, and now that will not happen until I enter they Great Beyond as well, so it is only torment to me for the rest of my life not having the one I truly love by my side forever and always. All in all, I loved Raven, and she loved me, it doesnt' get much simpler than that."
By now, after these statements, many of their allies were watery eyed, realizing that they were closer than thought to be to Raven. In an orderly fashion, they approached the memorial set up in her honor, laying a rose in front of the picture, paying tribute before meeting with Robin and the others at the door on the way out. They shook hands with their allies, exchanging their condolenscenses as the exited, knowing that even in a tragic event, the world still needed them, and all understood that logic.
Shortly thereafter, still in their clothes from earlier, the quartet of heroes solemly walked down the hall, past Starfire's, and onto the one at the very end, the embossed, stamped letters reading "RAVEN" across it. Robin punched in the code on the keypad that granted them access. The door whooshed open as it always did, but for some reason, today just seemed different, everything seemed different today, because the Titans, protectors of Jump City, was minus one member, cut down in her prime. Her room was just as she had left it nearly a year ago, dust collecting into a fine layer upon everything, the only noticable thing was that her diary wasn't covered in dust, but as if it had been recently read, Beast Boy the perpatrator on many occasions, wanting to see her actual feelings for him. Robin gently laid the photograph of a semi-happy Raven on her bed, laying it flat. Cyborg and Starfire laid down a dozen black and violet roses each next to the photo. Beast Boy waited for them to finish that before he placed what appeared to be an envelope, sealed and everything, her name ornately written on the outside of it. He backed away, taking his place in the row of them as they stood their, observing their memorial.
"Does anyone have anything to say here that they didn't want to say in front of the others?" Robin managed, adjusting his posture.
"Does anyone actually know what exactly happened?" Beast Boy calmly questioned.
"Robin and Star were already above ground," Cyborg explained, "and you and I was engaged in combat against the robots."
"Speaking of robots, what did you do with that 001 guy?" Beast Boy asked, realizing that he had followed them home.
No sooner than he finished his statment, the robot walked in front of the doorway, causing it to open.
"Hey you, come here for a second," Robin called out to him, getting his attention.
"May I be of assitance?" He questioned, stopping in front of robot, casting an errie glow of his eye in his direction. The machine still bore the likeness of Slade.
"You were closer to her than we were when all this went down, did you see what happened to Raven?" Cyborg asked the machine.
"Raven was engaged in combat with Slade, and she was about to deliver the final blow, but Slade managed to strike first, leading to the spiraling events that caused this horrific outcome. Even as a machine, I don't think Raven deserved the fate she met. If I can assist in any way, please let me know."
Robin nodded at the robot's statement, knowing that even though he was borne of evil, the machine chose a path for itself, one of honor and integrity.
"It's all my fault," Robin finally announced, breaking the errie silence of the drab, dark room, "I failed Raven as a leader."
"Don't do this Robin," Cyborg pleaded, "it's nobody's fault, things like this happen unexpectedly, yes, we miss her, we all miss her, and there is going to be a gap forever within us all that nothing on Earth could ever fill."
"I should have never let her go, I know that there was some way, some how, somewhere down the line, I could have prevented this, yet, I let it happen, Raven's death is on my hands, I must accept it," Robin continued as if he were in a trance, completely zoning Cyborg's statement out.
Starfire took hold of his hand, wanting to offer some kind of condolence, her eyes still red from her tears of sadness shedded earlier.
"It's my fault as much as it's your's, Robin," Cyborg reasoned, "listen to me, no one is to blame for this, it happened, we didn't expect it to, but it did, and nothing is going to change that."
Robin lowered his head, coming to an agreement with Cyborg in silence.
"I let Raven down, I could have saved her, I know I could have, but I didn't," Beast Boy finally spoke up, his voice quivering as he spoke.
"Will all of you please just listen to reason!" Cyborg finally exclaimed, knowing it must be said, yet he too felt somewhat responsible. "Raven died to save us, we couldn't do anything about it, you, I, her, all of us know that. I know it sounds so awful to say, but it was Raven's time, it was time for her to leave this plane and enter the next, even though it was so soon in life. She's gone, but not forgotten, always remember that, there will be memorials erected in her honor soon, both in The Hall of Titans as well as one on this island, I will see to it, I don't know what they are going to consist of, but there will be rememberence, rememberece of all the good times, not the bad. She still lives on in us in our hearts, always remeber that, she is forever going to be a part of us. The Titans will miss Raven forever and always, but she will never be alone, because she has us, and always will, no matter what."
Silence enveloped them once more, the sun beginning to break through the think clouds of early morning, a ray of sunshine coming to rest upon the picture of Raven upon her bed, almost as if it were something divine, a calling from above.
"Cyborg's right," Robin mentioned after a moment of thought, "this is indeed the darkest hour we have ever faced, but life goes on, and as the Titans, things do seem to come at us quicker than most, so come on guys, let's go." He finished with a motion of his hand.
"Where to?" Starfire questioned, following him closely behind.
"Don't know until we get there. Come on Cy, BB, let's go, believe me, what I have in store for you guys might help out a little," Robin added, looking back from the doorway. Cyborg came out as well, all that remained was Beast Boy, still studying the picture.
"You guys go on, I'll catch up with you later, remember, I got a communicator," he informed, not even looking back, "I got to say something to Raven in private.
Robin nodded, completely understanding to what he meant. They treaded down the hall, headed for the elevator that led to the garage, the T-Car awaiting them.
"I can't believe this is real, Raven," he stated, as if he were talking to her, "you're actually gone, I just can't force myself that such a tragic thing has happened, especially after all what you done for us in the end, even taking Slade with you. I hate to admit it, whether it be denial or my feelings, but there is a part of me that is strongly suggesting the fact that you are still alive, out there, somewhere. A somewhere I have no idea as to its whereabouts, and you will return one day, surprising all of us greatly. We found the device that was designed to revive Terra, I have it here with me," he informed, pulling it out of his pocket, "but I don't know if I should put it to use, I mean, I feel as if I were betraying you if I did, Raven. What you and I had was special, no matter the timeframe it took place in or how we were to show for it, but it was there, that something was something I didn't, nor ever had with Terra. Don't get me wrong, I liked Terra, but in the end, it has always been you that my heart had longed for, Raven, and not even Terra will take your place, nor fill the void your death had created. I know life will go on, continuing to save the city, but nothing will ever be the same without you here, so I say this Raven, I know you're out there somewhere, and if you are, I pray to God that you come home, I don't know when, why, how, or whatever, just as long as you can grace the doorway of this Tower once more, and so I can lay eyes on your beautiful face once more. If you truly are no longer with us, then I must put my feelings to rest and pay my last respects. Raven, you were a Titan, a true friend, almost family, and most of all, the love of my life, I will forever miss you and love you always."
Beast Boy ran his hand down the photo of her once more, a smile coming across his face, remembering all of the best memories of her that her had, knowing that would be the ones he would remember her by always and forever. He slowly turned around, walking out of the room at a similar speed, reaching into one of his suit pockets, pulling out his communicator, as well as stuffing one the violet roses in his front left chest pocket, only the vibrant flower visible.
"Beast Boy calling Robin," he stated in the communicator, awaiting an answer.
"Robin here," he replied, "so, you ready now?"
"Yeah...yeah, I'm ready," he replied, "so where you guys at?"
"Waiting on you, come on, do you actually think we'd leave you?" Robin joked.
Beast Boy smirked, seeing that they were trying to get things back to reasonable conditions, even though Raven was gone, the city, as well as the world, still needed their help, and they need to take a break from it all, or at least a small group outing for a little while anyways.
"Beast Boy out," he informed, shutting it, starting to jog to the elevator, prepared for what lay ahead of him.
