Chapter 7

What Plan?

Everyone took Raven's discovery in silence. How could Starfire's sister be the leader of this group of villains? How did she return without them noticing? The expression on Starfire's face said it all.

"So what you're saying is that our enemies have united under Blackfire's reign?!" Kid Flash asked.

"For lack of a better phrase yes, it certainly does look that way," Raven said, pulling down her hood.

"So how do we stop this?" Dove asked.

"Our first objective is to get the rest of our team out of their control. If we can do this, we might be able to even the playing field a little bit more," Shayera said.

"And how do we do that?" Huntress asked. "Most of us aren't ready for battle."

"She brings up a good point," Aqualad said.

"Let's worry about relocating first. Speedy and I had a small run in with some of those robots so it's likely they know we're here. Star, did you find a good place?" Robin asked.

"We found one alright. It's not too far from here," Kole said.

"Secluded, easily defended, right near a lake and it's big enough to hide three whole armies in it," Kid Flash said.

"Lead the way," Robin said. Starfire took off with one of the kids in the lead while everyone else fell in behind, helping those not quite ready for travel. As this happened, Shayera pulled Robin aside.

"You're not going to trust her, are you?" she asked.

"Starfire's my friend, why shouldn't I?" Robin asked.

"Raven said it was her sister leading these criminals. Don't you think that will affect her judgement?" Shayera asked.

"I've known Star for five years. We've had to fight her sister before and she always came through. In fact, she did it on her own. I trust her with my life, why can't you?" Robin asked.

"Old feelings die hard," she said.

"She's helping us now, whatever hard feelings you had for her people had better be put aside, or your judgement will be the one that's clouded," he said. Without waiting, he hurried off after the others. Shayera watched him go before taking off after him. For someone so young, he knew what he was talking about.

The cave certainly was large. There appeared to be a main room and little side caves, not to mention a nice perch on top for a lookout point.

"This is perfect!" Black Canary said.

"Gnarrk," Gnarrk said.

"Okay, I want all my patients in one of the side caves so I can check on you," Raven said. No one objected as Vigilante, Wild Cat, Black Canary, Huntress and The Question were brought into the nearest side cave.

"Bumblebee, I want you to take your team and have a look around, see if there's a back way in or out and stuff like that," Robin said. "Can you handle that?"

"Only if you can let me borrow Cyborg and Starfire," Bee said.

"Okay, Kid Flash, why don't you and Jinx go look for some firewood," Robin said.

"You got it," Kid Flash said. Without warning, he sped over to Jinx and scooped her up in his arms. "Come on; let's not keep the man waiting." That said, he sped out of the cave again.

"He's almost the same as our Flash," Zatana said.

"Only difference is that he can hold down a girlfriend," Shayera agreed.

"You certainly are organized," Batgirl said, walking up to Robin. Robin didn't answer and Batgirl frowned. "Come on, we'll take first watch, for old time's sake." Without waiting, she grabbed Robin's arm and pulled him out and up onto the small perch.

"Why'd you pull me up here?" Robin asked.

"Something's bothering you and don't you dare try to deny it. I know you better than that. What's wrong?" Batgirl asked.

"I haven't seen him in so long. What am I going to say?" Robin asked.

"You're still on about that? Batman's going to be happy to see you – however much he doesn't look it," she said. Robin didn't seem comforted by this. Batgirl smiled gently. "You say: I thought you could use a hand, old friend." Robin smiled back and they lapsed into a comfortable silence.

A little while later, everyone had gathered in the main cave. Hot Spot had gotten a nice fire blazing in the middle of the room. Raven stayed mostly with her patients, but everyone could tell she was listening in. Shayera took the floor.

"We need a plan; first, we need to get our team free, second, we need to get our Watch Tower back, and third, we need to take down the villains," she said.

"So it's a three pronged strike, is it," Herald said.

"Very affective," Red Star said.

"The problem is that we don't have enough resources to spread that thin," Dove pointed out.

"So we take them one at a time," Raven said. "Our main objective should be getting the rest of the Justice League out so that we have those resources."

"I agree with Raven," Arrow said.

"So, this is where you're hiding out," said a voice at the entrance. Everyone swung around to see two faces that the Titans didn't like; Red-X and Slade. Robin readied himself for an attack, but it never came, only Slade's low chuckle.

"Don't think we've come here to hurt you, Robin," Slade said.

"Then why come here?!" Starfire demanded.

"Perhaps we wanted to help you," Red-X said.

"We don't need your kind of help," Cyborg said.

"No, he's right. We do need their help," Raven said. Everyone looked at her.

"But, Raven, they're like the two worst criminals," BB said.

"And they're also the only ones who aren't in it with Blackfire," Raven said. "Remember, I said most of the criminals from Jump city were there, they're the only two that weren't – minus the ones we recently put in jail." Robin grimaced.

"Fine, but I'll be keeping an eye on them," he said. "I've got an idea, but it's going to need some work if you're all up to it." Everyone agreed and they started planning.

Back in the prison cell, Batman was contemplating what Raven had said. Robin was back! What was to happen next? Most everyone else had exhausted themselves attempting to escape, even Mister Miracle, who was an escape artist was having trouble. It was as if their powers were draining the more they fought and if that was true, how were they supposed to help the others?

"Are you worried about Batgirl and Robin?" Diana asked. Batman turned to her. She was being held right beside him.

"It's not just them I'm worried about. I'm also concerned about us. I think that these cells have been draining our energy and weakening us the more we fight it," Batman said.

"I have noticed that my powers seem to be weakening," J'ohn said.

"So I'm not the only one," Aquaman said.

"Humph, I don't trust that Raven girl," Etrigan said.

"Why's that? She seemed honest enough," J'ohn said.

"Atom was with her as well," Diana pointed out.

"I don't trust her because she's a demon," Etrigan said. "Or at least part demon. I can sense it. She keeps it concealed and under control quite well, but not well enough." Batman made no comment. She had said that she was on Robin's team, if what Etrigan said was true, was he in danger? Diana yawned and lay down to go to sleep.

"She's got the right idea. We all need our rest if we want to regain our strength for the battle ahead," J'ohn said.

"Spoken like a true leader," Aquaman said, lying down. Batman lay down as well, but sleep was hard to come by. His mind was so filled with thoughts about Robin, Batgirl and Raven that sleep was an impossibility. If they were saved, what would he say to Robin after having not seen him for five years? As these thoughts passed through his mind, Batman found himself growing tired and against his will, his eyes closed and he fell into a dreamless sleep.

The red sky overhead was half concealed with rolling black clouds drifting over the thin stone path. Raven walked along the path completely alone, but she didn't mind. Being alone was almost a blessing to her, only something was wrong, she could tell. As if something was off in the balance of her mind. Without warning, a large four eyed, red giant rose up out of nowhere causing Raven to gasp and back up.

"No, I sealed you away!" she said.

"Nothing can keep me away for long, dear daughter," Trigon said.

"No!" Raven screamed.

Raven sat bolt upright, gasping for air. A dream, it was only a dream…so why did she feel so shaken to the core.

"Raven?" Melvin said, quietly. She, Timmy, and Teether were sitting up beside her. Timmy had placed his blanket over top of her and she handed it back.

"Are you okay?" Timmy asked.

"I'm fine Timmy, it was just a bad dream," Raven said.

"Can't sleep?" Wild Cat asked. Raven had chosen to sleep just outside where the injured were so she could get to them quickly in case anything happened.

"Just bad dreams," Raven said, walking over to sit beside him. Melvin, Timmy and Teether joined them. "How are you doing?"

"I'm an old man, I don't heal like I used to, but you're doing a good job," Wild Cat said. "What were you dreaming about?" Raven flinched at the thought and turned away. "Forgive me if I pry."

"No, it's okay. I was just dreaming about my past," Raven said. "Specifically, family matters."

"So, you came from a bad past too, did you," he said. It wasn't a question. Raven stroked Timmy's head as she thought of how to phrase her answer.

"You could say that," she said.

"You know, most of us came from a rough background," Question said, joining in. "Batman, both his parents were killed by a robber. Your friend Robin, his parents were killed in a circus accident before he was adopted by Batman. Huntress had her parents killed by a crime boss…but her parents were crime bosses themselves. Shayera came from the planet Thanagar as a spy to see about our weapons and defenses."

"You know a lot," Melvin said.

"I do a lot of study on every hero. I know their deepest secrets, identities, mistakes and fears," Q said. "However, that's just within the league and slightly outside. What's your secret?" Raven pulled her hood up.

"It's not something you want to know about. If you did…well, let's just say I wouldn't become the most popular," she said, solemnly.

Meanwhile, on the lookout perch, Robin and Slade sat side by side in silence. The dark forest held no friends to them and the lake splashed eerily. Robin knew that Tramm and Aqualad had decided to sleep in the lake, but it still felt unnatural.

"Why?" Robin asked.

"Why did I decide to help you?" Slade asked. "It's a funny thing really."

"Amuse me," Robin said.

"When I heard about what had happened I realized that I had two options: I could try to take over the city while you were gone and be beat up by Blackfire and her army, or I could help you and still try to take over the city when this is all over. I figured that I had a better chance against you than her," Slade said.

"So, you decided that you would help your enemy in order to get rid of both our problem," Robin said.

"In a manner of speaking, yes," Slade said. Robin looked out into the forest until another thought hit him.

"What about Red-X?" he asked.

"Red-X is on his own side. He helps who he wants and won't be controlled. You should know that as you created that suit," Slade said. "Any more questions, my old apprentice?" Robin ignored him and continued his watch. After a while he finally spoke.

"I'm no one's apprentice anymore," he said.