CH. 2

After their talk, the two superheroes left Raven's room and made their way downstairs. Crow's appearance and their talk had taken up a majority of the rest of the day. As Robin and Raven appeared in the common room, they could see a clear starry sky with sparse traces of sunset left in the horizon. Beast Boy and Cyborg were nowhere to be seen while Starfire and Crow were talking on the couch.

"Friend Crow, you look so much like Friend Raven!" Starfire gushed happily. Crow smiled widely.

"More like she looks like me," she chuckled, "I was born first, remember?" Starfire nodded and clasped both her hands together, eyes sparkling.

"Please, may I do the braiding of your hair? I have always wanted to with Raven, but she hardly allows me." Crow nodded and flashed her toothy smile.

"I would be more than happy to let you braid my hair," she said kindly. Crow turned around and Starfire set to work.

"Starfire will keep an eye on her for now," Robin whispered gently, "Where are Beast Boy and Cyborg?" his question was pointed to Starfire who answered in her usual happy go lucky voice.

"I believe they are training in the sparring room," Starfire answered. Her hands were a blur as they worked on Crow's hair. Robin left to join them immediately, probably to talk to them about Crow as well, Raven thought to herself. She sat down on the opposite side of the couch and began to read her book that she pulled from inside her cloak. Crow watched her from afar while Starfire continued to work on her hair. Her plan was perfect and foolproof. Raven would be forced to do her bidding and the Titans would crumble from the inside out. Right on cue, the alarm began to sound and a red light began to flash. Starfire and Raven's communicators began to go off a second after the alarm. They ceased what they were doing and opened the communicators to see Robin's serious face.

"There is a problem," he said. Raven fought her impulse to roll her eyes, get on with it her face showed.

"There is a maniac going through Jump City wrecking buildings," Raven could see that He was running as fast as he could to get to them, "I don't know who it is." Raven closed her communicator and turned to her sister who looked interested.

"Stay here and do not leave Titan Tower," she said, making eye contact. Her sister frowned and opened her mouth to argue, "Crow, not now. This is serious. Stay. Here. We will be back soon." As she made to follow after Starfire, who left to meet the others, Crow grabbed her arm in a tight grip. Raven turned and saw her sister with a look of fury.

"Don't you ever speak to me that way again," she snarled as she tightened her grip. Raven didn't show her fear. Crow was much stronger than she would ever be. Raven jerked her arm back and glared. She didn't have time for this. Her patience was wearing very thin with having to put up with her.

"Stay here, you demented freak!" Raven shouted and sank through the floor to meet her teammates. She climbed into the back of the T-car and Cyborg sped off. As they drove, her apprehension began to rise. There was no telling what her sister would do to take revenge on her for lashing out like that. All she knew for sure was that no matter what, she couldn't allow Crow to control her. They arrived in minutes to the first site of the criminal. A road side shop was missing its window with the insides charred by the explosion. Grains of shattered glass sparkled in the street light across the road and sidewalk.

The Titans dismounted and began to search for clues as to who or where the culprit was. Raven crunched through the glass and leaped through the shop window. The darkness was overwhelming and for the first time in a long time, Raven was scared of the dark. This was not natural; the culprit was still here and from the looks of things, very powerful. She turned to leave and warn the others, only to come face to face with a hooded figure. They wore black jeans, black hoodie, black boots, and black gloves. They were so shrouded and covered, Raven could neither discern their age, or gender. She jumped back and crouched into a defensive stance. She glanced past the figure to see that her teammates were gone. Her hands began to glow with her dark powers, causing her opponent to raise their fists quickly.

Robin walked slowly down the alley on the left of the ruined shop, his bo-staff held at the ready. He and the others split up to look for clues around the crime scene that would point to who attacked the shop and why. As Robin walked further and further from the road, he felt an ever rising sense of apprehension. Someone was watching him from the shadows; it was only a matter of time before they attacked. A noise behind Robin sent him into action. He whirled around, ready to defend himself. Before him stood a figure dressed in black. Their face was hidden in the shadow of their black hoodie. Every part of their body was covered black clothing, making it impossible to tell their gender or age.

"Who are you?" he demanded with a flourish of his bo-staff, "Was it you who destroyed property?" There was no answer from the figure. In fact, there was no movement of any kind. To Robin, this person could have very well been a statue if he hadn't known better. They just stood and stared at him through the dark.

"Pull back your hood and show yourself to me, or I will assume you are the perpetrator," he warned. Again, no sound or movement from the person in black. Robin stepped forward, ready to attack as fast and hard as he could. Instantly, the person's hands raised to remove their hood. Robin's gasp filled the alley as he saw the face behind the hood. Before he could speak or move, darkness enveloped him. A hand reached out and grasped his forehead in a grip of iron. Pain filled his head as a mental spike was thrust into his brain. He opened his mouth to scream in agony but his body would not obey. Tears of pain rolled down Robin's cheeks from under his mask as he fell to his knees. He felt the cold grimy concrete of the alley meet him face and he knew no more.

Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Starfire were all panting with exhaustion as they each faced off a hooded figure in black. Everything that the trio threw at them was received with no damage to the enemy. Each attack from the figures was barely parried, dodged, or blocked in time and the Titans were beginning to wear down. The figures crouched in an attack formation and began to advance.

"Here they come! Hold your ground!" Cyborg yelled and the Titans leapt forward to meet their enemy in battle. Beast Boy as a muscle bound gorilla swung his fists down toward his figure's head. He was filled with relief and happiness as he saw his fists connect, but was suddenly face first in the gravel when the figure in black dissipated in a puff of purple smoke. Cyborg had missed his own punch and was about to receive a punch from his enemy when they also turned to smoke and was whisked away by a cool breeze. Starfire's enemy had disappeared before she could even encounter them.

"What happened?" Beast Boy asked as he rubbed his head. He looked around at the store front and saw Raven emerging from the broken window. She was limping with blood dripping from a head wound. Her left eye was swollen almost shut and her right arm was held by her left in order to stem the flow of a gash on it. Beast boy cried out in shock and had reached her just as she began to stumble. She fell into his arms with a grunt of pain, and immediately brushed him off. She wanted nothing more than to sink into his strong arms and be held by him while her injuries healed. However, Raven knew that now was not the time. Her powers hadn't worked on her attacker, and this handicap had allowed them to brutally beat on her.

"How are you three?" she managed, "Where is Robin?" She looked around but saw no sight of him. Starfire gasped when she realized that she too could not see her love. She took to the air and glanced around before seeing him on the ground in the alley.

"There!" she called, pointing to him afar off. The Titans ran to the alley to help their leader, Beast Boy and Raven taking up the rear. He was supporting Raven with her arm wrapped around his shoulder until her leg healed up. By the time they reached Robin, she let Beast Boy know she was able to stand. Starfire picked up Robin's head and supported it in her lap as she lightly smacked his face to wake him. Robin made no movement or sound as Starfire's tapping became more frantic with worry.

"Star, easy," Cyborg said gently. He crouched down and took their leader from her. He ran a scanner over Robin's body and checked his pulse. The rest of the team waited with bated breath, hoping for the best. Cyborg turned back to them after folding Robin's cape into a makeshift pillow and placing it under its owners head.

"Good news and bad news," he said sadly, "Good news is he isn't dead. Bad news is, I don't know whats wrong." The Titans instantly began asking for an explanation. Their voices overlapping into a chorus of distress. Cyborg raised his hands to quiet them.

"It's like a coma, but it isn't. It's strange. I need to examine him back at the Tower. The T-car was totaled in the battle, so Raven, would you mind taking us home? We have a lot to talk about." Raven's dark powers encased the Titans and in an instant, they arrived back at the Tower. While Cyborg and Starfire took Robin to the medical bay, Raven and Beast Boy made a few calls to let the chief of police know of their progress and to call a tow truck for the T-car. After she hung up, she turned to see Beast Boy turning on the game station with a grim face. She knew that it was his way of getting his thoughts in order and coming to terms with his worry over Robin. Raven sat down next to Beast Boy and watched him play. It didn't take long for Crow to make an appearance behind them, cheerfully whistling to herself.

"Hey guys," she chirped. Beast Boy and Raven said nothing in return, nor did they acknowledge Crow's existence. Crow frowned before laying a hand on Beast Boy's shoulder causing him to flinch slightly. He continued playing as if she hadn't touched him. Raven's eyes were watching the screen, but in reality, her peripherals were intensely focused on her sister.

"Beast Boy, may I speak with you?" she asked sweetly. Raven's head whipped around to look at her sister directly. Crow glanced at Raven and the smirk that swept across her face told her that Crow was in control. If Raven tried to intervene, it would be easy for Crow to play the victim. She would have to trust Beast Boy. After all, Robin had told them to watch out for her. She pulled a book from her within her cloak and began to read as Beast Boy turned to Crow.

"What is it?" he asked impatiently. He was not in the mood for talk.

"Privately? Please?" Crow looked concerned about him.

"Fine," he sighed and paused his game before rising from the couch and following her out of the living room. After the doors closed behind them, Crow turned to Beast Boy and held her arms close to her body. Beast Boy was listening, but was reminding himself that Robin said she might try to manipulate.

"I know what Robin told you," she said softly. Surprise radiated off Beast Boy as he heard what was said. What ever he expected to hear, it wasn't a confession. But he was still curious.

"And?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest and fixing a cold stare on Crow. Crow fidgeted under his gaze, looking at the floor.

"It's all true. I am a high functioning sociopath. It's a sickness Beast Boy. One that I cannot control. But when I am with my sister, it is easier to control myself. I just wanted to be honest with you," she said looking up at him. Beast boy didn't know what to think. This was unexpected and against the profile of a sociopath that Robin had explained to them. What was she planning? Was she planning anything at all?

"Let me try to heal Robin," Crow offered.

Cyborg and Starfire were in the medical bay together, looking over Robin. Cyborg had him hooked up to multiple machines while Starfire was wringing her hands and assisting where needed. Cyborg was reading a monitor when Beast Boy burst through the door. He was sweating and looking desperate.

"Cyborg, have you figured out what's wrong with Robin?" Beast Boy asked as he crossed the remaining feet to come to Cyborg's side.

"Unfortunately no," he said with a worried expression, "According to the tests I ran, he is perfectly healthy. All I know is that he seems to just be asleep. His breathing is normal, heartbeat normal, blood pressure normal… I am stumped." Cyborg fell into a chair and held his head in his hands.

"What about Raven?" Starfire asked hopefully. Cyborg paged Raven on his communicator and went back to reading the monitors.

"Crow offered to help," Beast Boy said quietly. Cyborg whirled around and gave Beast Boy his undivided attention.

"What do you mean?" he asked slowly. Cyborg gave Beast Boy a worried look, "You know what Robin said about her. She's dangerous and can't be trusted." Beast Boy rubbed his face with his hand in confusion.

"I know!" he said in a frustrated voice, "she told me she knew what Robin had said and even confessed if you believe it!" Cyborg sat back in the chair, shock on his face.

"But that-"

"Goes completely against the profile Robin shared with us! I don't know what to think or do about this," Beast boy groaned as he also fell into a chair. Starfire looked back and forth between the two of them.

"If Raven cannot help Boyfriend Robin, then perhaps we should trust her with him," Starfire offered.

"Star… do you know what you are proposing? What if she messes with his head? She is basically and evil, more powerful Raven," Beast Boy said. As he finished speaking, Raven came through the door.

"Everything ok?" she asked in a concerned voice. Cyborg gestured at Robin.

"I got nothing on him. Can you help?" Cyborg asked. Raven stepped forward without a moments hesitation and placed her hands on Robin's temples. Her eyes closed and she began to softly chant her mantra. When she opened her eyes again, she was floating in a dark void of space.

"Robin!?" she called out, hoping to hear a response. Her voice echoed loudly as she edged deeper into Robin's subconscious. As she floated onward, a light appeared in the distance. She reached out for it and instantly she was in the training room. Robin was sparring in the ring, trading blows with a doppelganger.

"Robin?" she called out again and the fighting ceased. They both turned to her and began to advance on her. She raised her hands and they collapsed to the ground, turning to sand. The sand made light pattering noises as it hit the padded floor. She looked at her hands in confusion.

"I didn't do that," she muttered to herself.

"No, I did," came a voice behind her. She turned to see Robin standing there with a smile on his face and his arms crossed over his chest.

"Robin! You are ok!" Raven said with a relieved smile. Robin uncrossed his arms and frowned.

"Was I ever not ok?" he asked quizzically. Raven stopped her response before it came. He didn't know where he was.

"Robin, what was the last thing you remember?" Raven asked.

"Your sister came to visit… then there was a criminal vandalizing Jump City… and then nothing. I am here." Raven stepped closer, reaching her hand out to him. Robin stepped back, away from her hand.

"What are you doing?" he asked, sounding nervous.

"I'm going to go deeper into your subconscious. To do that I need to make contact with your current consciousness," Raven said gently. He didn't remember the battle. Someone had messed with his memory. She continued to reach out for his head, but was stopped. There was an invisible wall that wouldn't allow her to get close enough to touch him. She pushed hard against the wall with her mind and hand, but she might as well have been a single ant pushing on a human's foot.

"I can't reach you," she said. She knew what needed to be done, and she didn't like it, "I will be back." Raven closed her eyes and reopened them. She was back in the medical bay with the others.

"Well?" Cyborg asked, "What's wrong? Can you help him?" Raven scowled at the floor.

"I need Crow's help," she growled.

Chapter 2 is done. Read and Review please and and let me know what you think is going to happen! Constructive criticism is always welcome.