Lonely Paths Come Together Two: Destiny
Chapter Eighteen
Memories,
Memories,
Memories,
A new day had come and gone, till it was night time, and Night Wing still had not returned home. Raven searched for him, she tried to raise him on his communicator, but it was like he had just vanished. She worried constantly and hoped that he would return. She knew that Slade was most certainly behind Night Wings disappearance. But she had no way of locating Slade, and she did not know where to begin.
Raven wondered what Slade was doing to her Robin. It hurt her to know that even though Night Wing had been protecting her from Slade, he still did not tell her anything about what he was doing or what was going on in his mind.
Raven thought back to the first time they met. She had been so young then and it felt absolutely great to have someone that cared for her and that was willing to protect her. She just wished that she could do the same for her only love. Night Wing and Raven had laughed many times on the clothing that they had chosen then. Childish really. They had both updated, Night Wing to his new black and blue suit, and Raven to her all black leotard and long black cape with a hood that she only lifted to cover her eyes when she went out with Night Wing, he like to see her eyes he said. With the new change, they did look much older.
While Raven was deep in thought, the lights in the cave blared a bright red everywhere. Raven snapped back into the world and went to the controls. She switched the screens to the problem. And the problem was everywhere. Robots that brought back bad memories to Raven were marching through the city. They were terrorizing the city, and everything and everybody in it.
In this world you tried,
Not leaving me alone behind,
There's no other way,
I'll pray to the gods: let him stay,
People ran to and fro, screaming and calling for help. The police that had arrived on most of the scenes did not last long.
Raven bit her lip in frustration. There were to many for her to take on all at once. And if she knew Slade then this was most likely a plot to get her out in the open. But if Slade had Night Wing, and she was caught then she would be reunited with him. But that would not be what Night Wing would want. He would tell her to protect the city and make sure nothing happens to it in his absence.
So that is just what Raven does. She leaves the safety of the cave and flies to one spot that robots are thrashing. Police men lay unconscious or dead where they lay. Cars are thrown into nearby building, and stores are wrecked.
The second Raven lands the robots turn toward her and open fire on her. She creates a dark barrier with her hands and the shots rebound in different directions. Two cars where thrown directly at her. She raises her hands and brings them down, dark energy comes out and slices cleanly through the middle of each car, sending them landing to either side of Raven.
Raven sent dark energy at some of the robots and tore them apart. She threw cars and pieces of the ground at the robots until they were each lying on the ground, sputtering and sparking.
Raven flew and went to the next part of the city that needed attention.
The memories ease the pain inside,
Now I know why,
Slade's Lair
"I find it sweet that she feels the need to protect her city. I must say I am amazed at how much control you have over her my apprentice."
"She does not protect the city because I tell her too, she does it because she wants to."
"You except me to believe that?"
"Believe what you want." Night Wing said staring at Slade with hate filled eyes.
"Tell me something, do you think that our dear Raven can take on all of my robots? Or do you think that she will die?"
"She'll fight till her last breath."
"I thought you might say that."
Back at the City
The night wore on as Raven slowly became tired. She was now fighting off robots in front of a newly constructed building. The streets were empty and dark, and they would have been quite if it wasn't for the continues cry of the robots weapons and explosions that lit up the cold night.
All my memories,
Keep you near,
In silent moments,
Imagine you'd be here,
All of my memories,
Keep you near,
The silent whispers, silent tears,
Raven threw a car at a mass of robots that were coming at her. The car exploded in flames as the robots fired upon it sparing them a moments destruction. Two robots came close to her, so she did a round house kick to one and gave the other a punch to the face sending it backward.
Living with Night Wing had its advantages. He had taught her several different moves over the years. At one point she glanced behind and destroyed a robot that was coming at her, she was hit by a robot in another location, with an energy blast. She was sent to the ground clutching her side. Raven gasped in pain, and held the wound with her hand, blood slowly coming out of it. The robots came in on her and surrounded her completely.
She tried to return to her feet but she was worn out. She looked at the weapons that was pointed at her and watched them wearily, waiting for the robot to pull the trigger and to kill her. She did not close her eyes and stared defiantly at the robots that surrounded her.
The next moment seemed like a blur, a large white and blue blast of energy came through the hoard of robots ripping them apart and reducing them to ash. Green circular bolts came out of the air and slammed down on the robots rendering them destroyed. Raven watched as a large supposedly extinct T-rex came slamming to the ground on the robots, and with a swish of its tail sent at least seven of them flying into the air. Raven grasped the ground as the earth began to shake and large jagged stoned came up from the ground piercing a few of the robots through.
Made me promise I'd try,
To find my way back in this life,
I hope there is a way,
To give me a sign you're okay,
Reminds me again,
It's worth it all,
So I can go home,
More robots came, and fired their weapons that were meant to kill. As Raven tried to return to her feet, four people around her age surrounded her and began to destroy the robots one by one. Raven stood and helped in the fight, with renewed energy. Some of the other people could fly and blasted the robots from their perched positions. The others took the robots on from different directions.
All the robots were now coming in on there position, they were relentless. With the last of her strength, Raven raised her hands and yelled her one chant.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Her eyes turned white, dark energy formed and spread everywhere. A black raven came from her body and went through every robot, destroying them all.
Ten seconds later, her eyes returned to normal, her cape went back down as well as her hair, and she fell forward on her knees, then she completely lay on the ground. She was unconscious and extremely worn out.
Slade's Lair
All of my memories,
Keep you near,
In silent moments,
Imaging you'd be here,
All of my memories,
Keep you near,
The silent whispers, silent tears,
Slade and Night Wing watched the screens as the robots were destroyed. Self-consciously Night Wing smiled to himself. He knew that Raven would let nothing bad happen to the city. And now he hoped that he had proved Slade wrong.
He did not know who the other's were that had helped Raven but once he got out of the situation he was in, he would thank them from the bottom of his heart, for saving his Raven.
"And I thought she couldn't win." Night Wing said and smirked.
"It would seem that lesson number one did not manage to inculcate some respect in you, boy. I believe that lesson number two, will be delivered as of right now." Slade told Night Wing and turned toward him. "You seem to forget that I am still in control here, this…" Slade points to the screen, "Was merely a taste for Raven, now if I were to hit this button, how long do you thing she would last?"
Night Wing gritted his teeth.
"Lesson two begins now my apprentice." Slade stated and came up to him, slamming his knee into Night Wings stomach. He then bashed his face in with his knee. Night Wing dropped to the ground clutching his still wounded stomach, and his nose was now bleeding, as well as his fresh split lip.
Slade forced Night Wing back into his "room" or prison and again chained him up, undressing him, and repeating the lesson. Except this time somewhat more gruesome.
Together in all these memories,
I see your smile,
All of the memories hold dear,
Darling you know I love you till the end of time.