One thing was more comfortable, Blue Beetle had left to report to the Justice League which meant that Raven had more time to prepare than she had initially planned for. The advantage of her cloak's hood was that it obscured a lot of her face and so the simple band that surrounded her head just above her chakra stone was invisible to all but the most observant. In this case, none of the other Titans.
Raven sat on the couch curled up into the smallest ball she could muster; a book was laying open in her lap as a distraction. She pretended to ignore the others but quietly listened. Robin, of course, was planning.
"Alright, we have a bit of a breather. We were not successful in finding the artifact the Justice League wanted, but we still have a lot to deal with. The last two weeks there have been multiple break-ins at banks and museums in and around Jump City."
"Yeah, dude. We respond but there is nothing there, and no money is taken." Cyborg chimed in irritated. "It's like they know we are coming before we get there."
Raven's pulse began to quicken and sweat beaded on her brow. There was no way they could know. She tried to ignore the communication device on her belt that had a new frequency added.
"It is possible we are facing someone who can sense our coming," Starfire suggested from the other side of the couch. "We have seen things like this before."
"But why are they hitting banks and museums and not taking anything? What do you think, Raven?"
All eyes turned to her and Raven felt the subconscious burning of the artifact on her brow. She tried to force the usually bored irritation into her voice. "I dunno, maybe they're searching for something specific?"
Too close to the truth but it made sense to suggest, and the rest seemed to have agreed.
"Yeah, maybe they are looking for the artifact to and thinks the museums have it." Beast Boy called from the kitchen, the sound of the refrigerator door slamming shut to punctuate his statement.
"We searched all the museums and didn't find anything with Blue Beetle. I don't think they are looking for the same things we are. I think they're looking for something different." Cyborg responded, his red eye studying the holographic map of the city that floated between them.
Raven struggled to remain calm. For most of the time, she had been able to excuse herself from the meetings for one reason or another. She did not want to ruin the plan by a stray look or gesture or worse; they see the bad around her head.
"Well, we need to find a pattern so we can get ahead of them," Robin said bringing up the holographic map of the city. "Let's go over everything again."
The night was thick with fog as Raven stepped out into the garden that stood outside the titan's tower. It was a loving project by Starfire, and it's meandering, vibrant colors proclaimed as much. Emotions waged inside her, and it made her sick. The vision of Sovereign and his perfect world resonated with her. The idea of those she loved living in peace with no threats to their lives. It was a belonging more potent than the one she felt with the Titans. The Teen Titans were adamant that Sovereign was evil and that it...he...needed to be stopped.
"My lady."
The young sorceress turned to see the black silk hood and accompanying the leather arm cape that wrapped around the thin form of Jinx. It was disturbing that Jinx had gone from such an enemy to a willing participant so quickly. She had even continued to call her 'my lady' or 'mistress' as if she was royalty or her master. Raven had tried to get her to stop, but the woman had gravitated heavily towards Sovereign and following the entity's emissary. She recognized it, a craving to belong somewhere and not only find it but being overwhelmed by it. Was she conquered also?
"Well?" Raven snapped irritably. These meetings were dangerous, and it took one misstep to throw things into chaos.
"I've hit the major locations you suggested, but there is nothing there that resembles what you described to me. I think it must be hidden somewhere else." Jinx said with a tone of irritation at this.
"The Obsidian Key is powerful. The Department of Scientific Investigation may have it." Raven mused and began to pace on the garden path.
"The D.S.I. does have a skyscraper here," Jinx said, a light coming to her purple eyes. "We could hit that?"
"No," Raven waved her hand. "It's not that simple. We go anywhere near the D.S.I.; it's going to bring down everyone on us. We wouldn't stand a chance."
"Then what do we do, Mistress?" Jinx asked folding her hands across her small but shapely chest.
"I'll think of something. How is recruitment going?"
Jinx gave a weak smile. "Not as good as I hoped. Mammoth and See More have joined our cause, but Gizmo and Billy Numerous have chosen to stay on their own. They don't see a future for us to win."
"How much did you tell them?" Raven asked, her voice acid. Allegiances were fluid now, and she could not risk any of those contacted turning sides.
"Not enough for them to threaten us," Jinx quickly assured. "They think I'm starting a new criminal syndicate with a mystery investor."
That excuse would hold for now, but it would not take long for someone to connect the dots. There was a timetable which Jason continued to urge expedience. Something of an organization called Iris was supposed to be closing on them.
"Do we have any contacts inside the DIA?" Raven asked.
"I have one or two people who owe me a favor. I'll see if they have an idea."
With that, Jinx melted away into the darkness to leave the island. It was only a minute before she heard the soft hum of the HIVE speedboat that she had commandeered skitter away towards the mainland.
Silence soon ruled except for the sound of crickets. Raven pulled her hood back and breathed deeply the muggy summer air that held the familiar scent of grass and flowers. Her heart was hurting, but she could not figure out what it was. Her hand gingerly touched the cold metal about her brow, but it was silent. The presence of Sovereign just a background hum that was almost unnoticeable.
It was a feeling she had learned to get used to. Since putting it on, she had felt him around her, in the corner of her mind. It was weird at first since Raven could feel him watching her gently while other times not around. In her dreams ranging from the usual common dreams to risque fantasy, Raven could feel him though she could sense him turn away for the latter dreams. The only time the young woman knew for certain, he was there was when the nightmares would come, but they were crushed and brushed away by a dominant invisible force and then she was deposited into one of her peaceful dreams. He was her protector, even in her head.
Raven began to lift her hood when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. Fear shot through her like a gunshot and blood rushed away from her face and heart. Ice gripped her as the young sorceress tried to force herself to turn around.
"Friend Raven. May we talk?"
No matter how many times she swallowed, Raven couldn't get her mouth moist. Her leaden feet turned her slowly until her purple eyes came in contact with the gorgeous green of her Tamarian friend.
"Stt...star...starfire. I didn't expect you to be out here this late."
"Neither did I you."
"You...you know. Beautiful garden. Had to..sm..smell the flowers."
"Were you sharing the experience of the flowers with Jinx also?"
'Shit!' Raven cursed to herself. How much had Starfire heard?
"Starfire-"
"Please, Friend Raven, please do not lie to me. I do not understand why you tell the lies, but it is very distressing to me." The young superhero said as she sat down on the bench in the middle of the garden, her pink hair wafting gently in the breeze. She was wearing her unicorn pajamas she loves so much.
Not sure what else to do, Raven sat herself down by her friend and waited silently, not sure what to say. Her mind rushed from option to option trying to figure the right move. The presence of Sovereign had gotten stronger meaning Jason was listening. Starfire broke the silence first.
"I am struggling with the emotions of love and fear, Raven. I love you like a sister and trust you, but I do not know what to make of your recent choices. I had initially hoped that your meetings with Jinx were erotic liaisons to satisfy your needs, but then I saw the artifact upon your brow."
Erotic liaisons? Had Starfire thought she was sleeping with Jinx? For a split second, the image of a nude Jinx and her adorable smirk flashed across Raven's mind, but she banished it.
"Star-"
Starfire reached up and gently brushed the band around Raven's head and for a split second, she feared Sovereign would strike at her, but nothing happened.
"This is the artifact the Beetle of Blue was looking for, is it not?"
No lies. "It is."
"And why do you not give it to Blue Beetle? He says it's evil."
"But is it? I've spoken to the entity that they fear. It just wants to create a peaceful world for all of us to coexist in."
"What is the cost, Raven? Has it told you?"
Raven wasn't a fool. There were people who would resist his entry into the world, and they could get hurt. Unlike Jinx who could have gotten it first, Raven was going to use restraint to limit those who would get hurt.
"Yes, I know that people could get hurt but Starfire. How many people are hurt and killed every day from evil people? All he wants to do is to create a world where the good can live in peace and only those who try to stop his emergence would get hurt. I don't want to fight you."
"So you have already chosen to ally yourself with the artifact?"
Had she? It slowly dawned on Raven that she had committed herself to Sovereign's rise a long time ago and had only been kidding herself she was on the fence.
"Yes. The world has suffered enough at the hands of villains like the Joker or Darkseid. It needs to stop, or they will just go on continuing to kill and maim."
Starfire remained silent.
"Will you help me, Star? To make sure nobody gets hurt?"
"I cannot, Raven. I cannot commit wrongs in hopes that they come out right." Starfire said with a heavy sigh.
Tears welled up in Raven's eyes, and she balled her fist desperately hoping she would not have to fight her friend right then.
"But I swore an oath of loyalty and friendship which I cannot break either. I will not harm you or raise my hand to strike you, Raven." Starfire said turning to look deep into Raven's eyes, the beautiful, expressive eyes pleading.
"But that oath does not shield or protect anyone serving this entity at your behest. I will resist any illegal act you take, but I will not harm you."
It was like a knife had cut into her, but the first line had been drawn in the sand by her dear friend. Raven hung her head and pulled the hood of her cloak up obscuring the artifact and also to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"There are things in your room that I know you will want," Starfire said kindly. "I'll help you collect them, but I must tell the others when the sun returns. Is that an okay compromise?"
"More generous than anyone else would give me, Star, I just wish you could see it my way."
"I can, dear Raven, I just do not agree with the conclusion you have reached. It is the villain's way of solving problems."
Raven stood and summoned the magical power inside her body and began to focus it in front of her. "I cannot take anything with me. They'll assume you're on my side or complicit. I'll just leave now."
The dark portal swam open in front of them, and Raven tried to give her friend a teary-eyed smile. "I hope we can see the same thing."
"I too. Be safe."
Raven stepped into the portal and found herself on the hills opposite of Jump city, the Titan's tower a small dot in the lake to the north. Though it did not happen the way she wanted, it was done. She was no longer a Titan and now alone.