-Chapter Five-

Raven saw Starfire already asleep on her bed. Her head hanging of the edge with a puddle of tears on the floor. Her usually happy green eyes were red from crying with salt streaks from where tears have dried. Raven approached her friend carefully, not daring to wake her up, even if she was a ghost. She shifted into Starfire's dream just as soon as she touched her.

"Slade!" Raven heard Robin yell. Starfire was remembering the last battle in her mind.
"Say good bye, Robin." Slade sneered as he pressed a trigger that was connected to a bomb on the ceiling of his underground hideout.
"No!" Raven saw herself push Robin out of the way as the bomb exploded and sent debris falling on her.
"Raven! Raven, answer me!" Robin clawed at the rocks that entombed Raven.
Starfire and Cyborg blasted Slade into and through a stone wall at the same time then went to join Robin and Beast Boy who were trying to free their trapped teammate. Starfire lifted one last boulder and freed Raven. But by then she was long gone. When they got her to the Tower's infirmary, Raven was beyond saving.
"It's not too late! Your machines are wrong! She can be saved...She can..." Starfire's rage dwindled into a sad whisper.
"Starfire. It's okay. I'm here." The ghost of Raven whispered and tried to reach out to touch Starfire, not fully aware that she was in someone else's dream. The scene warped and shifted around her, turning into the cemetery where Raven was buried. Her friends were gathered there again, but this time, the others went away one by one until only Starfire was left. Raven did not let this chance fly by.
"Starfire. I'm here. Don't cry." Raven said quietly and laid a hand on Starfire's shoulder. Her friend jumped back in alarm and backed away in horror.
"Raven? But...you are dead. Slade...he killed you."
"Yeah. I know. I saw it." Raven turned away, not wanting to let Starfire see her cry.
"We could have saved you. I'm sorry."
"It doesn't matter. All that matters to me is that you and the others are safe."
Starfire merely smiled.
"Can you please tell the others that I forgive all you guys? And that I'll be watching?"
Starfire nodded. "Anything for you Raven. I'm just so sorry." she started to cry into Raven's shoulder. Surprised, Raven hugged her best friend.
"I won't be able to stay long Star. Just promise me you'll tell them okay?"
"Yes. I promise."
Raven smiled with tear filled eyes and vanished.