A/N: It really seems like the end is almost there. I think this chapter makes it pretty clear, though I wonder how clear I make anything anymore. Sorry for the delay again, just been burnt out on pretty much everything. Thanks to those that reviewed as always cuz I know I always say it is appreciated, but really, it just is. Enjoy the chapter...hopefully its something...so be it...

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans, but hey, I think we all knew that already

Trying to Do the Right Thing

Chapter 38: Give Up Sight to See

By: Finalitylife

Raven was back in her own room, lying in what should have been comfort on her own bed, but the straining pain within the confines of her skull refused to give her that small bit of satisfaction. It truly felt as if her brain had long ago swelled beyond the restraints of its interior though only continued to try and break through the skeletal walls holding it in. Raven knew nothing would stop her unrelenting pain except time for she knew that the extreme mental anguish was not from exhaustion, using her powers to forcibly enter into Robin's mind, or the small bit of energy she had mustered to try and help heal Speedy.

It was from magical backlash, having incurred the wrath of the terrifying dark magic that twisted tightly on to Robin's soul as if it had a will of its own. Perhaps it did Raven wondered, attacked at her own soul when it felt its slowly increasing dominance over Robin was threatened by the dark young woman. The dark magic had done on number on her mind, making her almost temporary useless at the worst time when Speedy was badly hurt and when Robin was so close...so very close, though Raven knew it had not been the time she needed when she had seen him. Rose had been correct when she commented on Raven's less that complete opposing of Robin.

Raven knew something...actually it would be better to say she chose to believe in something that Rose, being correct about Robin going after Speedy from her vision, only confirmed to more likely be fact than fiction. Raven knew something...something she would never tell her friends. When Rose had somehow had a vision of Robin upon touching Raven, more than likely because of the lingering connection between Raven and Robin still, Raven had a vision as well...somehow seeing that which was to come...that which see needed to see.

Fate had never been truly kind to Raven though even she knew that in the darkest hours of her life, somehow fate always seemed to grant her truly what she needed...though only after great suffering. Her bitter loneliness and rejection all her life was ended the day she met Robin all those years ago. Her nightmarish life as the harbinger of the end finally came to an end after eighteen years of being a portal to the greatest evil the Universe had ever known...again thanks to Robin. Now finally, fate had shown her the future, shown her a single event that was so improbable of ever occurring in the first place that Raven knew from the moment she had discovered those words in her books, that all the Titans searching would still prove useless as the true opportunity to save Robin would simply never happen. This is the future she had been gifted to see if only for a moment...it would allow her to do what she needed to do.

It was one of the most hopeful scenes Raven had ever seen and perhaps a scene even more frightening than confronting her father for she knew exactly how it would end if it went exactly as she intended. Knowing the future, Raven could now manipulate what was to come by the strength of her mind and will...as long as she was strong enough.

Raven sat up in bed, using the tiniest bit of energy to pull a very specific book off her shelf bringing it to her. She opened the aged tome to an exact page, her fingers trembling slightly from pain in her mind rather than the words that she knew were in there. She had accepted them as they were...undeniable and true. It was the action that still caused her to waiver.

Raven scanned the symbols with hazy eyes, not really reading them for even if she had her eyes closed , she would know exactly what it said, loosely translated within her own mind.

Dark magic of such magnitude and power can not be fought with the powers of light for the magic has bound itself with the soul itself. To eradicate the magic of evil with light at this point would only annihilate the darkness of the soul itself as well. Destruction would be absolute for the bearer of the dark curse for no being's soul is of absolute purity...an absolute in itself.

Raven let out a labored sigh as her mind began pounding heavily again, causing her to fall on to her back with the book still in her lap. She knew the greatest power she had ever achieved, the power that had defeated Trigon, would be useless now even if she could figure out some way to achieve that 'transcended' level again. It would only serve to purify Robin completely out of existence, and Raven would not allow that to happen...she knew what she would allow to happen as she fought back the urge to scream in silence.

Raven did not sit back up, allowing the pain to settle down just a bit, still reading the next chilling words of the book in her mind.

However, black magic can be fought creatively though almost never broken with black magic itself though never does the twisted darkness not take something in return...never is there a fair trade...the ultimate absolute of the evil magic of the Universe.

Raven felt her whole body go cold, knowing exactly where these words led her too. Used with other information she had gathered from her ancient books of power, used along side the path Raven had refused to give in to since the day of her birth, used with the consequences she knew would come, Raven had found her answer.

Raven knew that it was simply time to wait, the vision she had shown her the opportunity would come for the briefest of moments to enact her plan. Rose would be the catalyst of it all, whatever little plan the daughter of Slade had would be what led her to this end. Raven knew this truth in her mind as well as her heart...another end would come soon enough.

A soft knocking at Raven's door thankfully became a distraction from the tragic truths of her mind, and Raven could just barely sense Starfire there, her powers slowly becoming coherent again to distinctly feel the alien princess.

"Raven...are you awake?"

"What is it Starfire?" Raven's voice was quiet though remained stronger than it had been when they first made it back to the tower with an unconscious Speedy, having been knocked out when his head slammed into the ground when Robin had tossed him.

"Cyborg requests that you come to the infirmary. He needs just a small bit of your healing touch again if you are up to it?" Raven closed her eyes and let out the softest of sighs. She had to go to Speedy...she owed him. It was her fault that Robin ever was forced to go to Slade's side in the beginning. It was also her fault she knew from the visions she saw in Robin's mind why he had hurt Speedy...the fuel for his anger and hatred distinctly coming from her actions of weakness and vulnerability. Everything was her fault she was beginning to truly understand...all her fault...Robin would truly never forgive her once all the cards had been played on the table.

"I'm coming Starfire. Just give me a few more moments."

"Okay Raven...I shall go back to the main room. Aqualad, Mas, and Menos are still very upset...upset at Robin. I still must keep them calm." Raven nodded as she felt Starfire leave the doorway. That had been another problem when they had come back to the tower with Speedy hurt...once it had been known who had done it. The other three male Titans East members had instantly thought of revenge, but thankfully Starfire proved a soothing presence for each of them...kept them calm for at least the moment. It was best Robin did not become a target...he already had been twisted into believing his friends were against him...that she had betrayed him in the most despicable and cold hearted ways.

She cursed Slade once more, she cursed herself once more, and more than anything, she cursed the choices she had to make because this time it wasn't forced upon her because of some undeniable destiny, but rather were her own choice by her own will, and would forever break the future that had seemed so perfect for only the briefest of moments as she ran to Robin's arms after defeating Trigon. For only the briefest of moments...inevitably to be forgotten to the relentless winds of time.

--

A weary Raven made her way down to the infirmary, really not even having the desire to float, choosing to walk instead. Soon enough the doors to the infirmary opened before her, revealing several worried faces and one barely noticeable smirk, a smirk that told Raven 'I know something you don't know' without giving a hint as to the answer. Of course Raven knew something as well, and that would remain her final secret if it had to be.

"How is he Cyborg?" Raven's voice sounded weaker than she wanted, feeling uncomfortable with all the room's eyes on her.

"Well he's still unconscious for the moment, but not in all that great of shape. You really couldn't do much for his broken nose and definitely not enough for his knee...busted up really bad. Two torn tendons, a dislocated knee, and all kinds of ruptures...I doubt you can do anything really for him there. He won't be jumping from any rooftops any time soon." Raven rubbed her temples ever so slightly in annoyance.

"Then why did you call for me?"

"He still has a little internal bleeding in his chest, and I was hoping you could at least stop that."

"I believe I can at least do that." Cyborg nodded as Raven slowly approached the bedside of Robin's injured rival. His black mask was gone for the moment though his eyes were closed, a steady breathing. Again Raven felt a stab of guilt for his pain, knowing she was the root of it happening. Her hand rose and hovered just above his chest, a soft glow surrounding her hand. After only about thirty seconds, the glow faded, and Raven stumbled back slightly in weariness. Cyborg raised some tool over Speedy's chest with a frown on his face.

"Are you sure that's all you can do Raven?"

"Yes." Cyborg winced as Raven snapped at him, an immediate look of regret on her face though a small smile from Cyborg told her it was okay, apologizing for pushing on her after everything that had happened. She did her best to smile back but just didn't have the energy, doing her best to gracefully sit down in a nearby chair.

Raven continued to rub her head as she scanned the room, her eyes giving a soft look to Bumble Bee on the other side of the room who was just short of frantic after seeing Speedy brought back to the tower. The explanation of what had happened had not done anything to ease her emotions, especially when she was informed of who Rose was exactly. It had shocked the young woman and instantly made her very nervous despite Raven doing her best to assure her it was okay though it had not really worked as Bumble Bee could sense that Raven didn't believe her own words.

Raven's eyes moved from Bumble Bee to the other side of the room, feeling her eyes instinctively form into slits as she looked upon Rose leaning against the wall in her usual, casual way. Rose wasn't doing or saying anything, but she still had that damn smirk on her face that just made Raven want to scream.

Raven just couldn't figure out what was going through the mysterious young woman's head though often, Raven really didn't want to know what was going on in her twisted mind. It was probably a very dangerous place to venture...the truth that was Rose, and though Raven had at one point pondered the possibility of helping Rose, she now had come to grips with the reality that she would probably just never have the opportunity to even try...just not something she saw within her future.

As Raven looked closer upon Rose who no longer seemed to be looking at her, she noticed when Rose's one eye glanced ever so carefully at Beast Boy who was standing next to her, the smirk disappeared in an almost guarded way as emotions...what Raven could only describe as real emotions passed through her eye.

This strange infatuation with Beast Boy worried Raven because the young changling did not need another woman around him who would only betray and hurt him. Though she knew Beast Boy still loved Terra, he had been greatly hurt by her, and though Raven knew nothing that serious was going on at this moment for Beast Boy, it was best nothing ever started. Beast Boy didn't deserve to have to suffer again, and Raven would be damned if she at least couldn't spare her 'little' brother any further suffering. If everyone else she cared about seemed to have to suffer because of her, at least maybe she could do this.

In the back of her mind, Raven knew she was probably needlessly being hard on herself, pulling all the blame on herself just because it made things so much simpler, but sadly she was content to sink deeper into pity and depression. Perhaps if there were no good emotions left to deal with, everything in the end would go smoother. It was a rare moment where Raven almost wished she could digress back to the emotionally detached and cold girl she had once been...before the Titans had given her acceptance and family...before Robin had shown to herself she was capable of feeling something as beautiful and warm as love...and receiving it in return. She almost wished she hadn't become who she had, but in the end, she couldn't be happier for everything that had been granted to her since she had first encountered Robin, and no matter what would come, every second would always be cherished forever in her heart.

"I think he's waking up." Cyborg's controlled yell gathered everyone around, pulling Raven's attention from her mind. Rose did not seem to have must interest in Speedy's sudden consciousness, only scooting forward with the rest of the group. They watched as Speedy's body began to move, his slowly opening maskless eyes clear though slightly dazed.. His eyes finally opened with a slight groan, though he appeared to be more relaxed than one would expect from waking up in this situation, but in reality, Speedy was usually calm.

"Oh man, I feel like I got hit by a truck or something. Robin used to be tough, but now...seriously, that guy is...woah...whose the white-haired babe? Please tell me she's my nurse. Guys really, you shouldn't have..." Bumble Bee cut her teammate off, clearly already annoyed at Speedy's womanizing and inappropriate behavior. She probably would have hit him had he not been in a hospital bed.

"Roy stop being an idiot. Her name is Rose. She's here to help. She's...she is Slade's daughter." Bumble Bee's final words were said very tentatively, and Roy's eyes widened only slightly before he actually reacted in his usual, slightly juvenile way.

"Aww man...why do all the hot ones got to be crazy..." The words barely got off his lips when faster than anyone could see, a dagger was pointed less than an inch from his throat.

"Don't ever call me crazy." In no way was this Rose asking, the fierceness radiating off her as she spoke felt by everyone in the room. All Speedy could do was nod slowly, being very careful not to nod too much because of the dagger at his throat. No one even dared breath as they watched the scene, though Raven could see just barely out of the corner of her eye Bumble Bee slowly moving her hands toward her weapons at her side. If she did...Raven needed to stop this before it got worse. If Speedy got hurt again, it would be her fault again. Rose was her responsibility in this place. Thankfully though, Rose retracted her blade and quickly spun around leaving a very stunned room, a few seconds passed before Beast Boy chasing after her calling her name.

"Man...that girl is crazy."

"Shut up Speedy...you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about." Speedy smiled as Raven glared at him.

"Well last time I saw you, I think I knew what I was talking about." Raven glared even harsher as she stood up.

"Yeah and that little scene between you and I almost got you killed tonight Speedy so how about you do everyone a favor, and don't say anything. It might actually keep you alive..."

Raven stormed out of the room down the same path that Rose and Beast Boy had left, though her direction was right back to her room to meditate as she could already feel her anger boiling higher, and her headache coming back in full force to the point she could actually feel her head pounding with every heartbeat. This was all she could do...for the moment at least.

--

"Rose! Hey Rose...please stop." Beast Boy's pleas finally seemed to get through to the angry and possibly dangerous girl though Beast Boy could not stop himself. He just felt so back for her at this moment, had seen the deep pain on her face from what Speedy had said. The pain...it reminded him so much of her...

"What! Here to yell at me for yelling at your little friend. Well you know what I'm not sorry. He's an ass, and I probably should have just ripped out his damn throat for what he said to me. He wouldn't be the first." Beast Boy only stared at the enraged girl as she screamed loudly in his face though he could tell she really wasn't doing it in a threatening manner, just burning out her aggression.

"Well! Say something!"

"Well...um...I'm sorry about back there. He shouldn't have said that to you...what he said wasn't true." Rose blinked slightly before her face settled into a blank expression.

"So all of it wasn't true...even when he said I was hot...it was all lies?" Beast Boy was highly unsettled by the blank expression on Rose's face, preferring it if she had some expression instead, though he knew he needed to help her somehow...that she was hurting inside, and he could somehow help.

"So you're telling me I'm ugly...that no man could want me, that I'm nothing...a complete nothing." The eerie calm voice of Rose was beginning to scare Beast Boy as she took a step forward though his feet remained firmly planted on the ground despite wanting to move. He knew that Rose was no longer talking to him...but rather ghosts of her past. That much he could understand despite not truly understanding the girl in front of him.

"Say something dammit!" Again Beast Boy could not find his voice as Rose went instantly from calm to angry again, though this time he could see a very deep sadness in her eye.

"Say something...just please, say something..." Beast Boy was beyond shocked as Rose pulled another emotional one-eighty when the girl threw herself at Beast Boy, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face into his shoulder.

"Please...please at least tell me I'm not crazy...please tell me I'm not a freak...just please...please tell me I'm beautiful..." Beast Boy hugged Rose in closer as it almost felt like she was beginning to cry, his kind heart unable to let this girl go as she suffered so.

"You are beautiful Rose...one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. That was the one thing Speedy said that was true...I mean you're a total hottie."

Beast Boy laughed nervously, doing his best to lighten the tense mood, his usual defense when in situations he was uncertain in...like what he used to do with Terra. The sparkling blue eyes and golden hair flashed through his mind as he found himself staring into Rose's eye as she whispered thank you to him over and over again. It was Terra's face in his mind when his lips were met desperately by Rose's, and Terra and sadness continued to linger heavily on his thoughts as the two stumbled awkwardly into a nearby guest room as if his own body had a will of its own, and in the end when all clothes were gone and Beast Boy truly wasn't sure what was real or only a dream, it had been Terra's name he had moaned...it had been her love he could never forget.

--

An unseen, unbelievably fast moving object tore through the night, the latest cloaking technology making it completely invisible to the human eye, only the smallest bit of a blur seen by the bending light around the object as it sped its way south of Jump City. No average human being would have ever been able to move successfully at the speed at which Robin drove the bike gifted to him by his 'master', but then again thanks to Slade, Robin wasn't completely human anymore. He wasn't sure what he was anymore.

Blurry and distorted images flashed through his mind, those that lingered the most from Raven's invasion of his mind on the rooftops of Jump City continued to confuse him. What was real...what was a lie...what to believe was perhaps not in the black or the white ends of the spectrum, but rather within the unending chaotic mess of gray that blurred all lines of reality...if this was even reality anymore and not just some twisted nightmare.

The landscape zooming past Robin signaled to him that he was approaching his 'home', a small waterfront city a few hours south of Jump City. Just the right distance away from Jump City where no one would ever think to look, but just close enough for Slade to keep tabs on the home of the Titans. It was nothing special or out of the ordinary and that perhaps was why it would never be found...a genius idea on the part of Slade Robin had to admit.

Robin finally came to a stop within the vast warehouse district of the city where a person could search years in and find absolutely nothing but more boxes and more rats, a secret entrance opening up allowing him entrance without even slowly down, coming to harsh stop once inside. He jumped off the bike, determined to find out just how much of his reality was in fact true, and he would start with Slade...the boogeyman of his life.

Unaware to Robin, a small tracking device disintegrated off him as he stood on an elevator descending underground. The device was set to destroy itself the second he stood within the same vicinity for longer than two minutes, destroying itself at undoubtably his final location to ensure it would not be found to warn anyone. Of course, Robin nor Slade would not know this, though Slade probably would have figured it out had he not been distracted by an irrate apprentice.

The dark human being sat upon his steely throne, his dozens of monitors replaying his apprentice's encounter with Speedy as well as the Titans, his smile underneath his mask larger than it probably had been in years as he watched Robin take apart Speedy, taunting him, attacking him mentally as well as physically. It had not ended the way Slade had wanted it too, but there would be other times. Slade's current concerns were ensuring that damn witch had not done anything to Robin's mind. It had taken him months to gain almost complete control over Robin, and he did not want all that ruined by a few seconds of interference from some demon whore.

A single monitor directly in front of Slade's eye was stopped on a single scene, where just barely within the shadows, long white hair could just barely be seen. Slade knew exactly who it was, and he admitted to himself that it was simply of absolutely no consequence. At most it would provide him some entertainment, and perhaps some finality in a failed chapter of his life.

Hearing the smallest hint of something passing through the air, Slade turned in his chair to catch a punch aimed directly at his head, stopping the fist in what seemed to be an effortless motion, though Slade even had to admit to himself once upon a time this had been much easier. His apprentice had indeed progressed.

"Well doesn't this bring back memories my apprentice. Not very original, but only again confirms just how far you've come. Good job my boy." Slade pushed the fist back, Robin backflipping away landing in a slight crouch staring at Slade with malice on his face.

"You tricked me you bastard. You lied and you manipulated me into hurting my friends." A mocking laugh of disbelief echoed the endless room that was this.

"You can't truly believe this my boy. What falsehoods did that witch implant in your head I wonder." Slade pushed a button on a keyboard in front of him, and I familiar video starting playing, the one of Raven and Speedy.

"If you recall my apprentice, this was all I showed you, nothing more. It was your idea to go after Speedy. You came to me demanding the mission, begging me to let you go after him. I did nothing else Robin. This was you...this was what you wanted deep within yourself. Do not deny the truth."

"No! It...it can't...its not me...I...I...don't..."

"Don't what Robin. You know you enjoyed what you did to Speedy tonight. You know you would have killed him had it not been for those worthless Titans timely intervention. Tonight was the truest expression of yourself you have ever allowed, and I must say you have me impressed."

Robin clutched his head in his hands, various truths all colliding together within his jumbled mind to bring nothing but more confusion, and when Robin was truly confused, truly had no idea what was going on, he allowed his anger and frustration to take over just as he always did, and the fight was on.

Slade expected the attack, seeing the boiling anger unleashed form this apprentice. Slade had learned to read Robin exceptionally, knowing exactly what he was thinking and what he would do. Slade had not been lying when he had told Robin that he would have killed Speedy had he had the chance just as Slade knew Robin had every intention of killing Slade at this moment. Slade would allow him to blow off some steam, but he would remind Robin who was in control.

Slade couldn't help but be disappointed in Robin as the fight continued, knowing that Robin had yet to master his emotions as he should have. This was all the witches fault for Slade knew Robin had been much farther along when he had left his place...it would take time to undo what she had did. She was Slade's only true threat to finally bringing his perfect apprentice into existence...she would have to be dealt with soon enough he imagined...personally dealt with if it actually came down to it.

Slade dodged another punch, this one grazing his mask and finally, Slade's patience reached its limit, and he swiftly punched Robin in the face before demanding the fight to an end.

"Stop apprentice!" Robin's body seized up in mid-kick, overwhelming pain ripping into his soul as the evil energy cursed upon him by Slade wrapped itself tighter and tighter around his soul like a snake suffocating its prey. He screamed as he fell to his knees, his strength and resistance sapping away. However, a vision of Raven accompanied with the emotions she had forced into his mind forced him to press forward against it all, fighting back to standing position.

"No! I won't let you...won't let you..." Every word was labored out, sweat forming on Robins face as he struggled against what seemed to be crushing weight pushing down on him. Slade only smiled.

"You won't do anything Robin. I told you when all this started that one way or another, I will have my perfect apprentice, and as I said, I would prefer it willingly but if you insist...Kneel before your master! This is an order!" Slade's booming voice physically ripped through Robin's body, blinding pain from his very core shooting out to every part of his body as if his nerves were being ignited by Hellfire itself. An inhuman scream emanated from Robin's mouth as unholy whispers spoke within his own mind, commanding him to obey. There was no other choice.

An outline of black energy sprang to life for the briefest of seconds around Robin, before fading back within in, leaving a motionless and completely calm apprentice, kneeling on one knee, head bowed before his master.

"What is your wish?" Slade smiled briefly. He had not wanted it to come to this, but he had no choice. If anyone was to blame, it had been Raven's fault for this being his option. He knew the dark magic had not consumed Robin completely, but Slade knew it would be awhile before Robin would ever dare oppose him again, and truly time was all Slade needed.

Slade however, did wonder what would be the true consequences of tonight's actions. He knew there was an outside chance the Titans would somehow find his base though it was highly unlikely. For once, Slade was not completely sure of what a situation would bring, and he hated to admit that. He perhaps had been too eager to test his apprentice, that he might have made another mistake. Slade shook his head, cursing silently. He would have to abandon this base he was almost positive though that would take time. Because of his...his death at the hands of Terra, Slade was still lacking plenty of resources he normally had at his disposal so it would be at least a day before he could leave this place safely. That would be more than enough time Slade was sure.

Slade looked down at his apprentice who continued to obediently await his orders, body completely rigid. Time was all he would truly need.

"You can go rest my apprentice, but be prepared for anything. Understood?"

"Yes...my master."