A/N: I know the last chapter was not really based on Raven. But if I want to actually tell the story it's needed in multiple points of views. I really want to thank Anime hotty lover.18 for the nice review. Without further ado, let's get on with the story.
Raven's Justice
Chapter 17: Alpha Male
Raven's P.O.V.
Ever since the attack at the cave happened I've been having nightmares. Which is to be expected, but that doesn't really help me. Trust me I've researched the hell out of trauma after home invasions.
Not just my everyday run of the mill nightmare. It hits home, hard. The scenery changes every night but the message is still the same.
No one is safe.
I would see my team, both past and present. It hurt a lot to see Dick again. I thought that maybe in time it wouldn't hurt so bad to see him again. It didn't. It made me feel guilty for moving on, for being happy.
This is where having a boyfriend who is willing reassure you at 2:34 a.m. that everything will be alright comes in handy.
Flash Back
I woke up suddenly.
I sat up and I was breathing hard and I was sweating all over.
I couldn't differentiate my tears from sweat but I had a feeling that I was crying in my sleep again.
While I was getting my breathing under control I didn't realize I woke up Connor. I felt his hand run up and down my back soothingly.
"Hey, are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, no I'm fine. Let's just go back to sleep."
I look at him, his hair was all messed up and I could see that he was slowly starting to wake up. "You sure?"
"Yeah" I lay back down next to him and pull the covers back over our bodies. His arm wraps around my shoulder and I sigh with relief. I curl back into a little ball. It always comforted me to be wrapped up in his arms. Just as I began to close my eyes I heard him whisper "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
"I know. It's just my usual nightmare. All of you die, and there was nothing I could do to stop it."
His arms tighten slightly around me. "I know that there's nothing I can do to ease your mind, but I promise to try my very hardest to stay alive. I will also try to keep everyone else alive. But other than that , that's all I can do. "
I pick up my head enough to kiss him lightly on the lips. "You always know the right things to say. Love you."
"Love you too."
End of Flash Back
I think fondly of this memory as we work on the reconstruction of the cave. Memories have been coming consistently while we've been helping out, most of them are not good. But I just take it one day at a time, and that seems to be working. So far.
At the moment we have League members helping with our reconstruction project. Green Lantern is working on moving large items with a green crane. After working for 3 hours straight we now have light back in the cave.
The damage done during the attack had been extensive. It had taken 2 days to get where we are now. The backup generator had kept some lights going, but it was it nice to have some normality back to our lights.
Martian Manhunter was working with the computer system. He was working with another hero but I didn't recognize him.
"Synchronizing key security protocols with watchtower mainframe."
Unfortunately the progress we have been making with our home was not going at the same rate as trust we needed to rebuild with the League. There was anger and confusion going through our team. Some were a little more vocal about their unhappiness than others.
Green Arrow set down a bowl of pretzels down on the table we were sitting at waiting for our next assignment.
Kid started the discussion that had been brewing for days by saying "Thanks, but no thanks."
Robin then took the reins and said "Yeah, what we want are answers about Red Tornado and his siblings. I think we've waited long enough."
Kid then blurted out "Exactly!" for no particular reason at all. But then when Green Arrow tries to take the bowl he flips a switch and says in a softer tone "Leave the bowl."
Kaldur was talking to Batman, and I know that Connor is trying to listen in on their conversation. But knowing Batman I know that they are far enough and whispering enough to not be overheard. And by the look of frustration on Connor's face I can tell that it's working.
I grab Connor's hand and pull him to come sit next to me at the table. I don't want him to get in trouble because of his temper again. While I know that he's been trying to work on his 'out bursts' but in all honestly the best thing that works is me pulling him away from those types of situations.
Once he completely sat down he whispered to me "But I can hear them. Please we have to know what's going on."
"Okay, fine. But you better not get caught."
He kissed me on the temple and turned so he was facing Batman and Kaldur but was still sitting at the table. I leaned against his arm and focused in on them, because I am honestly kind of curious.
Kaldur said "It was during the Tai Pei mission with Red Arrow Sportsmaster revealed the possibility of a mole within the team. In light of last night's attack Tornado would appear to be the traitor. But whether he betrayed us willingly or was pre-programmed is still…"
Before I could stop him Connor was rushing towards the both of him. Oh shit. I got up as quickly as I could, and used my powers to grab him so he won't hurt any of them. I literally had to dig my heals in to stop him a good distance away.
The others were called to the situation at hand when Connor basically screamed "You knew! That android and his maniac family nearly killed Raven!"
"Connor, sweetheart you need to calm down. Please…" I say in a calm voice. Trying anything to stop him from critically hurting anyone.
"But Kaldur knew we had a traitor among us and said nothing!"
I was about to say something else but Robin walked over to where I was standing along with Wally and Artemis. He said in a disappointed voice "You knew?" Wally continued without missing a beat "And didn't tell us?"
Kaldur then tried to start and defend himself by saying "I sought to protect the team from…"
He was then cut off by Artemis when she said "Protect us from what? Knowledge that might have saved our lives?"
I then said in an effort to defuse the situation by saying calmly "You guys we need to all calm down. We need to let Kaldur explain himself before we do anything. Okay?"
Everyone stopped and then Batman who was accompanied by Green Arrow, Captain Marvel and Black Canary looked as though they needed to say something. Batman started off with "Thank you Raven. With Red Tornado missing the team will now be overseen by rotating supervisors. Captain Marvel has volunteered to take the first shift. "
The Captain walked forward and introduced himself by saying "I'm really looking forward to hanging with you guys."
I then hear Connor whisper to Kaldur "After I dismantle Red Tornado you and I are gonna." But I stop him in his tracks with a strong and quick jab to the ribs. Ugh, his temper is definitely going to be an issue during this mission.
Apparently Batman was also listening in on their conversation too because he added right after my jab "Red Tornado is a member of the Justice League. That makes him a League responsibility. You will leave him to us. I have another assignment for this team."
Batman pulls up some newspaper clippings and Wally reads them off. "'Gotham Mayor attacked by Guerilla Gorilla'?"
"Was this the only thing he could find to distract us?" Connor and rarely use our telepathic connection to talk to one another, but know was a good enough time as any. I always keep Connor and my connection up, the others I reattach when it is needed.
"I think you need to focus on this before you break someone's neck. And I won't be as nice as I was earlier." I say this a little more harshly than probably needed but I he had to know that I was not supporting his little temper tantrum. I understood the difficulties of running a team, and handling a potential mole situation is never good. There is honestly no gentle way of doing it, and since no one's gotten hurt yet I think Kaldur has been handling it pretty well. So in this argument I'm on his side.
Robin was the only one who dared ask "Batman, please! Tell me you're not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase." Even though everyone was thinking exactly what he declared no one had the balls to ask the Bat himself. Despite his lack of powers Batman was more intimidating than any other hero in the Justice League including Superman.
With his typical straight face and serious monotone voice Batman said "I never joke about the mission. I've checked the sources. I've studied the patterns. Mayor Hill's encounter is only the latest in a series of incidents. Aqualad, you and your team will depart for India and check this out."
As we leave to go to the Bioship I hear Wally childishly say "Hmph! Your team."
Ugh, boys. This mission is going to suck.
I stay a little behind so that I can talk to Aqualad before we leave. Connor walks ahead and then looks back at me, I nod and then he shrugs and walks off with the others.
"Hey, Kaldur you know that I'm on your side on all of this. I know the struggles of being the team leader in stressful situations like this. You are doing the best that you can do. It's not your fault, never forget that."
He just stares at me for a second before responding "Thank you Raven. I did not know how much I needed to hear that until now."
"Anytime. I'm always here if you need to talk. I'm pretty good at listening and keeping secrets if need be."
[_[-]_]
Connor's P.O.V.
In my very short life I have experience d many things. Anger, disappointment, love, joy, and now I can put distrust to the list. I had put all of my trust into my life at the cave but now that's not even safe anymore. Mentally I thought I was doing okay, but that all went out the window after this morning. After almost losing Raven and then finding out that there could have been some way to prepare…
How am I supposed to recover from this?
Surprisingly Raven had been taking this very well. I love her to death but sometimes she kind of terrifying with her all-knowing attitude towards situations like this.
Unfortunately this whole mole situation left me in a very bitter mood. So when we made it to Northern India, it was night and I just wanted this to be over already.
Robin and Artemis dropped down first while the Bioship stayed afloat.
We then landed the ship a couple dozen feet away. Kid Flash, Aqualad, Raven, Captain Marvel, and I walked off into the jungle. Robin then came and met back to us when he said "All clear."
Aqualad then said "Switch to stealth and we'll review mission parameters."
Thankfully I didn't have to do anything. But Wally had to press a button on the front of his suit, which then made it dark. Aqualad seemed to do the same thing and he switched his shirt from red to black. Raven shifted her outfit to have a blue leotard and black tights and black cloak. She then started to braid her hair, and honestly it looks kind of sexy that way. But she knows that.
"Parameters? We don't need no stinkin' parameters." Wally said rudely.
Without losing a beat Robin continued the rant with saying "It's recon. We know what to do." And with that they started to walk off into the jungle. I know the anger they are feeling right now. But on the flight over Raven and I talked a lot about the situation at hand, and of course it was telepathically. By the end of it I had to agree with Raven, it wasn't Aqualad's fault. There's no good way to handle… something like this.
All Aqualad could do was wearily call out "Kid, Robin…"
But before he could finish whatever he was trying to say Robin interjected "The three of us started this team because the Justice League was keeping secrets from us."
Wally continued "Or did you forget that like you forgot to tell us about the mole?"
I looked around and then my gaze rested on Raven. She looked like she was about to explode "Enough you guys. When there is a mole, you tell no one. Because you don't want to alert the MOLE. Aqualad was doing the best he can. You need to cut the crap and grow up a little. Your snippety attitude won't help us complete the mission."
They just huffed and walked off.
Once they left I asked in a whisper "Please let me come with you. I can protect you." My worst fear is that I'll lose her, and I almost did.
But before she could tell me an answer Artemis put her two sense into our private conversation. "Like Aqualad protected us? I'm not sure your protection or your patronizing is good for our health."
She responded in my mind with "I know you are just trying to help. I'm going to go watch after Artemis so that she won't do anything stupid. Please watch over Aqualad, he's putting up a front and that may crumble at any moment. Love you."
I simply responded with "Love you too." She is most definitely the smarts of our relationship, and 9 out of 10 times I agree with her and her plans.
And then Artemis and Raven walked off in the opposite direction of Wally and Robin. I was left with Aqualad and Captain Marvel.
The captain then said after a few minutes of awkward silence "Um, did I miss the part where you actually said what the plan was?"
"No. Superboy can you handle some recon on your own? Captain Marvel and I will go in the opposite direction. Sound good?"
"You got it." I say. I then bound off into the distance.
[_[-]_]
Kaldur's P.O.V.
During the flight and my time alone with Captain Marvel.
We have been wandering the jungle for about an hour or so. Thankfully we had a full moon tonight so we had some natural lighting to guide us. We stopped before a path and it looked as though it had some tracks on it.
Captain Marvel said "Guess this is where Mayor Hills' monkey business went down. So at least we've confirmed his story, right? Aqualad?"
Something in the distance was drawing my attention, but thankfully I was called back to the conversation.
I say "My apologies, Captain. I am…plagued by doubts. Perhaps I was wrong to withhold."
Maybe the man with the Wisdom of Solomon can help me with my problems. Before we can delve further into …this, a something from within the trees. Then the ground started rumbling, and rocks on the ground began to shake. Then from within the trees came an Elephants. But something was off about this particular Elephant. It had barbs and its skin was broken open and it's eyes glowed red.
Captain Marvel began to fight it dead on. It began to use it's trunk to swing him around, and then he was flung into the trees.
I turned around to see another one of these Elephants was coming at me. So I began jumping out of its way. I knew that I couldn't fight these two elephants with sheer strength. While I was trying to get out of there way I landed on the floor rather roughly. Thankfully I landed in front of Captain Marvel. Unfortunately that was also in front of a tiger with a color with red lights on it.
[_[-]_]
Robin's P.O.V.
There is no secret that I was hurt by Kaldur's actions. Wally and I had talked about it, and we had decided to keep this front for as long as possible. The longer we hold our position the more likely he'll never do this again. There is nothing we can do to change the past but we can try to change our futures.
We had been doing our recon for the last hour or so. Then out of nowhere three giant vultures came at us. We had to hit the floor to miss their giant talons.
I yelled to Wally as we got up to run "I thought vultures only ate dead meat." I flung one of my explosives at them, and of course it did minimal damage. Damn it.
Wally then responds back with "Yeah , these are some very proactive scavengers."
So I say "Proactive and super-sized. You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Kobra Venom?"
Unfortunately he was right "Yeah."
[_[-]_]
Raven's P.O.V.
We had been following this river for the past half hour. We had been wandering at least an hour. Then out of nowhere either alligators or crocodiles, I have a hard time differentiating the two, came and started to attack us. It then pulled Artemis below the water.
It took me by surprise and I moved over to rescue her.
I float over where I last saw her. I use my shadow arm to reach down and grab her. She was breathing heavily and soaked but looked okay. She gave me a thumbs up and I set her down safely away from the scrimmage to recover. I then punched the crocs (I'm still not sure but let's just call them that) unconscious.
I floated over to Artemis and she said "Okay nearly drowning twice in a week is way less fun than it sounds."
[_[-]_]
Aqualad's P.O.V.
The fight continued with the tiger and the elephants. I then realized that beside the fact that their outer appearance they were wearing collars.
So I used my water to rip off the collar. The elephant immediately became docile and walked away.
I then yell to Captain Marvel "Remove the collar!"
He replied it "On it."
The Captain quickly removed the other two elephant's collars and they acted the same way mine did. They headed off after the other elephant into the jungle. As we watched them go the Captain said to "Pretty sweet the way you figured out the problem was the collars."
"But the collars indicate an intelligence behind this attack. The rest of the team may also be at risk."
So I turn on the comm. and ask "Team, report status… Ugh. Comm is jammed. And Raven failed to set up a telepathic link before we split up."
Captain Marvel corrected me by saying "Actually, you let everyone split up before communications were set."
"They would not listen!"
He just looked at me and said "I guess. But back at the cave Batman stopped everyone from arguing with one word."
How can he realistically compare me to Batman "Because Batman is…Batman."
"Hey, you don't have to tell me. When I first joined the League, all he did was boss me around. And it's hard not to take it personally. But… I never disobeyed an order and that's probably what kept me alive."
Something clicked in my mind "Batman takes command. He has to… for the food of the League. Thank you for helping me understand."
He just shrugged and responded with "Hey, Wisdom of Solomon."
"Aqualad, can you hear me?"
Ah, thank goodness. "Yes, Raven. Report."
"Artemis and I were attacked by animals wearing inhibitor collars like those used on convicts at Belreve prison."
Captain Marvel interrupts my train of thought by informing me "Cool, the tiger! I'll be right back!"
That's not good. I try to catch him "Captain, wait! Hey, Speed of Mecury."
[_[-]_]
Raven's P.O.V.
"Raven… I need a telepathic link-up with the entire team, now."
I raise my hands to my temples and begin to focus on each individual mind.
Me: "The link is up."
Artemis: "Should you really still be giving us orders? And should you really be following them?"
Kaldur: "Listen, please."
Wally: "Oh, good, Aqualad's voice in my head. I've so missed that."
Robin: "Hey, Kaldur, K.F. and I were attacked by giant vultures. Course, since we're moles you probably think we attacked ourselves."
Artemis: "If he did, he wouldn't tell you."
Me: "You guys shut up, and grow the fuck up and move on. Connor is everything okay?"
Connor: "Busy. Call back later."
Wally: "What gets me is how nonchalant he is about not telling us."
Robin: "He should be chalant. Way chalant. Extremely chalant."
Me: "Robin shut up about the chalant."
Artemis: "How can we be a team if he doesn't trust us with his secrets?"
Wally: "Did he really think you or I could have been the mole?"
Robin: "We've known each other for years!"
Me: "Trust is a two-way street, and until you guys are in this position you have no right to KEEP bagging on him when there's nothing anyone can do. Just knock it off already, it's exhausting. And I'm not even the one being constantly be yelled at by the people who were supposed to be my friends and teammates."
There was a silence that overcame our telepathic link.
Kaldur: "Thank you Raven. Captain Marvel has been captured and we must act as a team to save him."
Wally: "Hmoh. Under your Leadership? I don't think…"
Kaldur: "This is not up for debate. You all chose me to lead. When the mission is over, if you wish to select a new leader I will happily step down. But until that time, I am in command here."
[_[-]_]
Raven's P.O.V.
We met up in front of the structure. There were electrical fences and lots of technology surrounding the complex itself.
Me: "I'll fly over."
Wally "Negatory. The field extends like a dome over the whole compound."
Robin: "Pylons are insulated but one good shock could cause a momentary gap."
Artemis: "I see a target."
Kaldur: "Then be ready to hit it. Be ready, all of you."
Aqualad jumped down and threw water at the fence. He slowly made an opening big enough for an arrow. Wally gave the all clear.
Wally: "Now!"
Then Artemis shot her arrow that would hit the electrical box that was on the wall next to the main entrance into the building. Artemis of course hit her mark and the electricity went down. But before we could make it all the way to the entrance a baboon on the roof started yelling and the alarm went off. Then we started fighting a troop of baboons.
Kaldur then called out during the fight "Remove their collars!"
Robin then complained as he was working on 2 baboons "Sounds easy when he says it."
I become invisible and wait for the door to open. A giant ape comes out with a red beret and a machine gun. I try to sneak through, but somehow he finds me and grabs me by the waist and throws me on the ground.
And while I was still recuperating Wally unfortunately came to my rescue. Shit, I will never live this down.
He bellowed as he raced over "Get your paws off her, you darn dirty ape."
But before he could complete the deed he bounced off the ape he tried to ram. I sat up and then began to float. I felt my eyes go black and my shadow hands came and grabbed the ape in question. I threw him through the building wall, which conveniently gave us an entrance to where Captain Marvel was. I could literally see him strapped to a surgical table with a saw above his head. While the others stood there waiting the inevitable encounter by the villain I went and grabbed Connor out of the jungle. We planned on hiding his existence from the enemy in case we got captured.
Wally then in all his wisdom pointed out "It's the brain!"
Artemis gladly shot down his enthusiasm by saying "Uh, I can see it's a brain."
Wally combatted with "Not a brain, The Brain."
The Brain the introduced himself by saying "In the flesh, so to speak. Mallah." Oddly enough he had a French accent.
The electrical poles came out from underneath the floor, as if they knew the team was going to be there. They immobilized us almost immediately and one by one they collapsed onto the floor. We had been waiting in the background for the right moment.
Kaldur: "Raven, Superboy, now."
I mentally grabbed the remote and turned off the immobilization.
Then all hell came down on the ape. This included Connor and his new friend, a giant white wolf. It took a little while but we were able to round them both up.
Kaldur then broke the collar off of Captain Marvel. Who happily said "Thanks. Now, one good turn deserves another."
The Captain jumped off the table and broke the collar off the collapsed tiger.
The ape gave an intimidating roar and Connor responded coolly "Try it. I hate monkeys."
The Brain then decided to talk and say "No Mallah, this will not be our Waterloo. Au revoir, mes amis." Things began to come out of the 'body' of the brain and Wally yelled "Get down."
The lights turned off, and a second later when they turned back on they were gone.
Damn it.
Wally then brought everyone out of the silence once again by saying "Wait, that big weapon thing was… a light switch?"
[_[-]_]
We now about to board the Bioship, and I was resting on a nearby rock watching everyone settle down. Artemis and Wally were having their usual argument style conversation.
Artemis asked him "What are you grinning about?"
He responded with "One word. Souvenir."
She retorted "Two words. Gorilla lice."
"Huh? Oh, man! Uhh…"
Kaldur, Robin, and the Captain were removing the collars off of all the animals. They removed a collar off a baboon and then the Captain leaned down and asked the tiger "That's the last of the collars?"
The tiger roared and the Captain responded as if he understood him and said "And I can count on you to keep the other animals out of trouble?"
The tiger roared again in response.
The Captain then told him "Good. I'll be back for a visit. I promise. I think I'll call him Mr. Tawny."
Connor who was sitting next to me was explaining his new friend. "The rest of the pack is gone. What are you still doin' here?"
I say "I think he like you and wants to stay."
Connors life lit up at the possibility and asked with childlike enthusiasm "Can I keep him?"
Wally who apparently overheard us said with a laugh "First the sphere, now this beast? Dude, you sure make a habit of collectin' strays."
I say as I wrap a arm around his shoulder "Well I don't see a problem with it." I kiss his temple and he just smiles up at me as he pets the wolf.
Wally then brought up a pretty useful point "Well, he's gonna need a name. Uh, how's about Krypto?"
Connor says "Pass." After his wolf growls at the thought. I then say after I think about the name for a minute "Isn't that name already taken?"
I watched Kaldur board the ship and Robin confront him. Robin asked calmly "Look, I need to know. Why did you keep the mole intel a secret?"
By this point we were all just standing there now waiting for the answer. The team needed to know, they needed this closure.
Kaldur then explained "The source of the tip was Sportsmaster."
Artemis then butted in with "What? You can't trust him!"
Kaldur simply replied "I do not. It seemed possible, even likely that he was attempting to divide the team with false information."
Robin then added "And given how this mission went, he nearly succeeded. But you had to consider it might be true."
"Yes. As leader, I did. In which case, I did not wish to alert the traitor."
Robin then admitted "Hate to say it, but… makes sense."
"I am still prepared to step down." Everyone knew that he took this job gritting his teeth, this was only supposed to be temporary until Robin was old enough.
Wally then asked the group "All in favor of keeping Aqualad as leader?"
And everyone raised their hands. Good or else I was going to smack some people.
Captain Marvel then said as he boarded the Bioship he said as he rested a hand on Kaldur's shoulder "Guess it's unanimous. See you tomorrow."
He then walked back off the Bioship and Kaldur asked "You're not coming back with us?"
He responded quickly "Nope, gotta fly."
I turned and asked Connor as we walked aboard "Have you thought of a name yet?"
He just simply said "What's wrong with wolf?"
"Sounds perfect." I say as I kiss him lightly on the lips and take hold of his hand.
A/N: Guess what guys. I'm working on a new story along with this one. It's Raven in the Harry Potter universe, tell me what you guys think of the idea. I want to thank Anime hotty lover. 18 again. Thanks to 1312, kenzkenzcole, Rascalize2, Bookmeister27, mbshadow, StormMoonStarLight, luckmaster, dannyboi2, getonmylevelbro, RavenIsADarkBeauty, Jonesy89, aquosbral 16, Rae, Evil Beware We Have Waffles 04, nicolexxx, AryaZEvans, Akirasatansoul, ArellaR, Brakelite, WolfassassinKing, Martenzo, FlopsyTheStingyDingo ,selen123,angelrey, VeeR,Boomer1125, Rose, Vee, MoonlightWolf16, BetaZackFan, wolf40k ,Yusuke Kurosaki , Insane bananas , ,Mizzimus,Nerdy Jiyu,Chromatic Love,chibi-no-baka,Harpy81,kreigspahn, M.I. '85, Rythomas12, , donnabella2k7, shadowhunt54,M19n98b0e, tigergirl1723, jumhalala, silly60, GennytheTigerWolf, MariashaAziza, B00kfan, Snow413, New Moon9889, D-MINI-Q, Mako27, dah1507, Insane Blood Prince, Wolfy-Queen, zeona last, FlopsyTheStingyDingo, Katr5432, Regin, TuTsXxX, and Alaska.
