Chapter 4: The Return Home
After several minutes, the other titans could no longer hear any noise coming from Raven and Terra's location. They stirred restlessly. Starfire broke the silence with a bold declaration.
"I'm going to see if they are the OK."
"Starfire, you can't. Raven told us…" Robin spoke up, his voice containing worry and determination.
"I do not care what Raven told us. I am going. They may require assistance."
Robin was about to speak up yet again but Starfire's eyes had gained a fire that was not to be questioned. So, instead, he merely stepped aside and let her pass, as did the others. Starfire took to flight and exited the building in which they had taken refuge. With a sigh, Robin and the others followed, emitting a gasp of shock as the scene in front of them came into focus.
Raven and Terra were both lying on the pavement unconscious. Even more surprising then that was the fact that Terra was no longer wearing her Slade uniform. Rather, she was wearing Raven's cloak… and only that. Ignoring the blushes creeping onto the boys' faces, Starfire flew over to where the girls lay and picked up Terra, making sure that the cloak covered her entire body. She turned back to the boys, a look of determination on her face that rivaled Robin's.
"Cyborg, you take Raven. I shall take Terra. We need to get them to the infirmary right away." Seeing Beast Boy's anxious face, he features softened.
"Do not worry, friend Beast Boy. Terra will be the OK."
With that said, she took to the sky, zooming toward the tower. Cyborg reached down and picked up Raven, carrying her bridal style toward the T-car. He set her down gently across the back seat. Beast Boy got in beside her, holding Rosefire, Cyborg got into the driver's seat, and Robin revved up his R-cycle. Then, the remaining Teen Titans sped toward the tower.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
The normally calming sounds of the revolving gears only served to further agitate the man sitting at a large computer console. The man's single eye flashed angrily and, without warning, smashed his fist through the computer screen. He then yanked it out, scowling viscously at the sparking cables.
Shaking these minor annoyances off his hand, he stood, placing both hands behind his back. Then, proceeding to pace across the room, he muttered vile curses under his breath.
"How dare she! How DARE she defy ME!" Suddenly, he stopped, metal boots clinking on the floor, a malicious grin coming across his features. "No matter. I always get what I want…and this time will be no different."
Then, he turned, his full body visible for the first time. He wore a uniform, split black and orange. His mask glinted with malevolence and his entire aura radiated evil.
This man was known as no other than Slade.