Chapter Three: The Storm

The sound of footsteps echoed in the large room, which was a moderate sized cavern. In it, computer monitors, keyboards, and miscellaneous pieces of high tech equipment lined the walls. And in the middle of the room, paced Slade.

The masked villain was in a foul mood for the past several months. He watched in dismay as his former apprentice rejoined the Teen Titans that last December. His hopes of her never wanting to seem them again and living out her new life were shattered.

He probably could not even explain to himself why he watched the girl when he learned of her return. Perhaps it was because they were so close; that she was like a daughter to him. Whatever the reason, it was enough for him to send out on of his robot clones to confront Beast Boy. He thought his plan worked, and thus was angered to be proven wrong.

Slade intended to change things.

Thanks to his experience with Raven and her destiny, he had devised a plan combining science and sorcery. He would send the Titans to their doom along the paths of history. The point in history he chose was one that he felt would do them justice. And it would have an ironic aspect to it as well.

He had checked his machinery several times over, reviewed the procedure for the spell dozens of times, and rehearsed the scenario.

All he had to do now was wait.

The Titans were all gathered on the roof of the tower, admiring nature's latest spectacle. An unusually large burst of solar activity had resulted in the creation of extremely bright aurora, visible as far south as Mexico. The Titans were not about to miss to rare event. Fortunately, it was a crystal clear night, allowing an unobstructed view of the celestial fireworks. Even Raven was held in awe by the display. She noticed that the bay waters were so smooth, that they mirrored the site from above, creating an even more stunning view.

Raven was brought out of her reverence when she heard Beast Boy and Terra laughing. Raven glanced in their direction. She also noticed Robin and Starfire sitting together and holding hands. She felt a sense of envy and longing, knowing that Starfire had feelings for Robin almost since they first met.

Facing the other two Titans, Raven's thoughts turned to the changeling and geomancer. Beast Boy was head over heels for Terra when he first saw her. The two had long since rekindled their relationship. Raven felt that Beast Boy's relationship with Terra would keep her in check, and thus she wouldn't try anything foolish.

So far, there was nothing suspicious about Terra's behavior as far as she could see. She knew it was stupid to try and pin something on her, but she couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling she still had. Shaking her head, her mind drifted back to her feeling of longing.

Only once she did really feel anything akin to love and that was a deception. She did feel some faint feelings for Robin, but brushed them off, knowing full well that Starfire would never willingly let Robin go. Beast Boy, despite his mannerisms, sometimes caught Raven's eye, but whatever feelings she had for him didn't last long. He was more of a brother to her.

And that brought her thoughts to Cyborg. Like her, he was alone. Or so it seemed. She suspected that Cyborg was a ladies man. He never seemed too troubled by the fact he didn't have a steady companion like Robin or Beast Boy did. She glanced over at her friend again. He appeared lost in thought.

'Maybe I ought to talk to him.' she thought. She walked toward him.

Cyborg was so engrossed at the scene in the sky, that he was startled by Raven's arrival.

"How's it going, Cy?" she asked him.

"Oh, just fine, Ray!" he replied. "I was just thinking."

"About what? This lovely work of natural art?"

"Not really. Just some stuff for the team."

"Oh? What kind of stuff?"

"Well, I've been thinking about the T-ship."

"What about it?"

"About making upgrades to it. Stuff you wouldn't be interested in."

"Try me. Oh, and you're not thinking of putting a stereo system or Gamestation 2 in it, are you?"

Cyborg laughed. "No, but that would be nice! What I was thinking of was something more practical."

"Tell me, please."

Raven listened intently as Cyborg expounded on his plans. He told her of upgrades to be made to the T-ship, including adding a new module for Terra.

He laid emphasis on a plan to build a new vehicle, strictly for submarine duty. He intended it to be much stronger than the T-ship so that it could withstand the pressures at any depth. The vessel could be carried by the T-ship for a quick transit across the globe.

Raven found herself drawn to her bionic friend. She was surprisingly interested in his ideas, and had a feeling of anticipation to be part of them.

"Would you mind if I help you in the construction?" Raven asked him.

Cyborg was intrigued. "Not at all, but will you be interested?"

"Of course! I did help you rebuild the T-car, didn't I? And don't I help you out with other things, like when you do oil changes or brake work?"

"Yes, that's true, you are a big help. After all, it would make things easier then."

"Then it's settled! When do we start?"

"Well, I'm going to upgrade the T-ship before I work on the T-sub, so it'll be a while."

"No problem. I have nothing better to do with my time, except read and meditate."

"Not to mention kicking butt!" The two of them laughed.

Beast Boy noticed their conversation. "I never thought I'd see the day!"

Terra glared at him. "What?" she asked.

"Raven laughing in normal conversation! Heck, she never laughs for me! Cyborg must have some real talent!" He shook his head in amazement.

Terra put her hand on his shoulder. "Well, I don't know about her, but you know I always find you funny."

They stared at each other, eye to eye. Terra leaned closer to Beast Boy, ready to kiss him, when they were startled by the sound of thunder.

"What the hell?" Terra said.

She looked over the bay. A line of large clouds, like a thunderstorm, was approaching. The Titans congregated near the center of the roof.

"Am I mistaken, or did the weather guy say we were supposed to have clear skies all night?" Robin said.

"I bet he wishes he hadn't." Raven commented.

The sky was now completely obscured with clouds, and a fresh cold breezed flowed across the bay.

"This does not seem normal." Starfire said, nervously. She never handled stormy weather well. She was then startled by the rapid succession of lightning strikes and the intense noise of thunder, which the Titans could feel rattle their chests.

"I think we ought to get indoors." Cyborg suggested.

"Good idea." Robin replied.

They made for the door. As Robin was about to open it, he received a violent shock.

"Jeez, is this thing wired or what?" he exclaimed, rubbing his sore limb.

Cyborg tried the door, but also was shocked and yelped in pain. "Whatever it is, it's not normal!"

Starfire approached the door. "I shall open it!" she said.

She tried to punch it in with all her strength, but she kept receiving a powerful shock. What more, the door resisted her efforts! Frustrated, Starfire then slung several starbolts at it, but to no avail.

"Okay folks, this is really weird!" Beast Boy said.

"It's like there's a force field or something around the door." Terra remarked.

"I'll get us in." said Raven. "Gather around!" The Titans congregated around her.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" she yelled.

A field of black energy surrounded them. But before they were enclosed in it, a bolt of lightning struck the roof, knocking all the Titans on the ground.

"Everyone all right?" asked Robin. The others got to their feet.

Terra looked out to the bay and gasped. "Oh my god!" she yelled.

The Titans looked. Closing rapidly on the tower was an enormous, glowing, blue vortex! It was closing rapidly on the building, threatening to swallow it.

"What is that thing?" Beast Boy asked.

"I don't know," said Raven. "But it looks like we're about to find out!"

The vortex now engulfed the tower. The Titans were surrounded on all sides by a swirling, glowing blue vapor. At first, they stared in awe at the interior. Then, a high pitched, loud howling filled their ears. The pain caused by it stabbed into their brains, bringing them to their knees. They all screamed and moaned in pain.

"Make it stop!" yelled Starfire.

But there was no stopping it. The pain was relentless, and seemed to intensify. Terra found herself loosing conciseness. She now felt fear, fear that was going to die.

'At least I'll have company, this time.' she thought as her vision faded.

That was the last she knew, save for pain.