I know it's been awhile since I last reviewed, but the trials of life take over. I want to thank all of you that have reviewed. Your words of encouragement fuel me. Please continue to Read and Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen titans or Slade. I do however own all the other people. Gracefulraven. . .out! Story on!

Chapter 4: Dreadful?

Starfire held on tightly to Cyborg as they swirled around in the vortex. She looked at her mechanical boyfriend in her arms and saw that he was still out for the count. Starfire squeezed her eyes closed as she whispered a Tamaranian prayer of safety. She quickly looked around upon hearing someone's screams behind her.

Slade and Raven were behind them. Slade still had a hold on Raven's wrists, but pulled her into his arms wrapping an one of his arms around her waist. Her face rested on his broad chest as she clung to him tightly. Slade looked around for something to grab on to.

"Raven!" Starfire shouted. Raven looked around to see Starfire holding on to Cyborg. "Oh no there's Starfire and Cyborg! I have to save them! I have to do something to save all of us. But what? I know!" She pushed herself out of Slade's arms a little still holding a hand on his chest.

"Hang on Star. I have an idea!" She closed her eyes while chanting her magic words. "Azarth Metrion Zinthos!" Her eyes snapped open turning white while black power streamed from her forming into a ball capturing everyone with in it. The ball constricted pulling everyone closer together. The three of them stood within the ball, with Starfire holding Cyborg, unfazed by the chaos surrounding them.

"Quick thinking friend." Starfire complemented. "I wonder what will become of us."

"I wish I knew?" Raven said glumly.

The colors in the vortex were bright rainbow swirled together. Slade looked around taking in the beauty.

"It would appear that we are change dimensions. The question is how do we get back?" Slade said looking at the young women.

"Uh. . . my head. What in the hell is going on!" Cyborg exclaimed seeing all the weird colors. "Where are we?"

"I do not know beloved?" Starfire answered him.

"This is all your fault Slade! I know you are the reason we're here!" Cyborg struggled to get to Slade, but was being restrained by Starfire.

"Actually Cyborg it's Beast Boy's fault. Slade tried to save me." Raven spoke up. "I don't know how but someway we will get back home. Trust me."

"But Raven your powers? Can they not get us back?" Slade began

"No. I need my spell-books and the proper ingredients to change dimensions."

"But you teleport all the time, Raven." Cyborg pointed out.

"Teleporting isn't changing dimensions merely hopping across the same plane. Do you understand now? I can't get us back by teleporting?" Everyone was silent suddenly everything turned black and they were shot from the vortex they all screamed. Raven lost her concentration and they began to fall from the sky. Starfire grabbed Cyborg and flew him to the ground, and Raven took a hold of Slade's hand slowing their descent. She placed him on the ground then landed beside him gracefully. The four of them looked around taking in their surroundings.

"Where are we?" Cyborg said looking around amazed at what his eyes were seeing. They were on the outskirts of a large city. The city was huge, they could see that the city was highly advanced in technology, yet had a medieval feel to it. In the distance could be seen an enormous palace made of white marble. Around the city was two large stone walls connected by a gate guarded by two guards. To the back of the titans was a path leading into a large forest.

"It is so beautiful." Starfire said her mouth agape at the wonders around her. Raven too was amazed the city reminded her of Azarath. She shook herself back to her senses,

"I guess we should find someone to tell us where we are?" Raven said looking a head of her. The group lead by Raven walked toward the city. They were met by two tall guards. One of the guards was as thin as he was tall, and the other was hairy and burly. The thin guard was as pale as a clean bed sheet. His hair contrasted greatly to his skin for it was the color of a raven's wing his eyes were covered by black shades. He wore a white rob with a red Serpent crest in the center. The burly guard on the other hand, had tan skin, long red hair, and a kinky red beard with a metal patch over his left eye his other eye was green. He wore rusted armor that also held a red Serpent crest on the right side of the breast plate.

The four of them looked amongst themselves. The others stared at Slade to be their spokesmen. He rolled his one visible eye walking forward. "Fine. I'll go." Slade said sarcastically waving his arm in the air as if he won a prize.

"Um. .excuse me could you tell me where I am?" The guards looked at each other then to Slade.

"You are at the gate of the wondrous city of Consonance." The thin guard spoke up his accent was British.

"Okay? Where is that?"

"The center of the world, mate."

"Well could you let my friends and I" Slade outwardly cringed at what he'd just called the titans, but pressed forward, "We would like to speak with someone from your city?"

"What business do you have in the city of Consonance?" The burly guard asked his voice held an Old English accent.

"I just told you my companions and I are not from this particular city and we would lik-"

"Do you have a writ of passage?" The thin guard now spoke again, Slade shook his head at his statement. "Then you can not enter the city. Good day." The guards now turned their attention back to their task, guarding the city. Slade walked back to the group.

"He said we can't go in." Slade informed them.

"Real smooth left-eye. Step aside let me handle this!" Cyborg said brushing past Slade. He walked up to guards with a broad smile on his face. "Hi. . .my. . .name. . is. .Cyborg." He began slowly so that they could understand. "My. .friends and I. .were wondering. . .if we . .could. .enter. .the city?" By the end of his explanation he was adding hand gestures. The guards looked at each other then began to laugh boisterously.

"We're not deaf you bloody idiot! As we just told your mate there no writ no entry!" The thin guard yelled in his face.

"So bugger off!" The burly guard shoved Cyborg so hard that he landed back with the group. Cyborg looked over at the guards, who were laughing, then back up at Slade who was looking down at him with his arms across his chest.

"Now who's smooth you overgrown toaster oven." Slade said as he stepped over him.

"Okay. Let me try my hand." Starfire said looking over at the guards. "Maybe a feminine touch would be sufficient, yes?"

"Baby. Maybe you ought let me handle this."

"Oh sure. If he pushes hard enough maybe he can get a better distance?" Slade chuckled at this as he turned to face the mechanical teen.

"What are you laughing at Cyclopes." Cyborg jabbed at Slade. While all this was going on Starfire made her way to the guards. They were eying her with drool falling from their mouths.

"Please excuse. I was wondering if my companions and I might enter the city. We come a far away place, and know nothing about this writ?" The guards pondered for awhile then shrugged their shoulders.

"Sure luv. But don't let anyone know we did this for ya flower." The thin guard said. Starfire began walking back to her friends, but stopped when the Thin guard grabbed her arm. She looked up at him with curious eyes.

"What is the matter?" Starfire asked

"Nothing luv." He said grinning at her. She walked back to the group,

"We may enter the city now friends." Starfire said happily floating in the air.

"Wow Starfire. What did you do to them?" Raven asked amazed by the aliens persuasion.

"Nothing? I just asked politely." Starfire said leading the others to the gate. The others followed behind her wide-eyed. As Starfire made it to the now opened gate, the thin guard grabbed Starfire's arm.

"So how about I show ya around luv?" The thin guard asked while groping one of her breast.

"What is the meaning of this!" Starfire exclaimed

"The shit is about to hit the fan." Slade murmured into Raven's ear. Cyborg got in front Starfire pulling her behind him then punched the guard in the jaw.

"That's my girlfriend man!" The burly guard charged Cyborg.

"So much for 'We come in peace'." Raven said as she chanted her magic words, flinging the burly guard off of Cyborg. "Let's go!" Raven yelled leading everyone into the city. They got inside and the roads were made of rubber and the cars floated across them. The citizens wore robes of different colors as they went about their daily lives. Slade stopped running to look at all the machinery he was in awe,

"Incredible. What technology!"

"Move it Slade!" Raven yelled grabbing Slade's arm. They continued running until they ran into a group of guards. The titan's and Slade got into battle stances.

"Stop!" A voice said coming from the back of guards. Emerging from the small army a man in charcoal armor with a red Serpent over the right side of the breast plate. He had cuts all over his strong face, he had greasy black hair that was slicked back, and piercing dark brown eyes that were so dark they looked black. He walked with one arm tucked in his breast plate. "I am General Saxton. Lord Dread would like a word with you all. Follow me." The General led them to a vehicle that looked to be car. He opened the door to allow the ladies in then he got in himself, but left the door open for the guys.

"He certainly is the gentleman." Slade cracked getting a nod from Cyborg before getting in.

"Raven!" Robin yelled to the place she once was. He picked up the device looking at it with hopelessness. Terra and Beast Boy walked up behind Robin.

"What happened to them?" Terra asked looking at the device. Robin whipped around to face Beast Boy. His face contorted in a feral manner,

"This is all your fault!" Robin growled grabbing the younger titan's collar.

"Dude I am so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen!" Terra grabbed on to Robin's shoulder tugging on him,

"Leave him alone Robin! Let him go!" She shouted louder. Robin threw Beast Boy on the ground and left without another word. He left Beast Boy and Terra to stare after him.

Robin walked out of the Jump City Museum hopping on his bike taking off into the now setting sun.

The ride to the palace was a quiet one. Suddenly the car came to a halt.

"We have arrived at the palace. Follow me."

"What is this 'Simon Says'?" Raven said with a bit of annoyance in her voice. Saxton gave her a quick glance over his shoulder before turning back around. Starfire grabbed a hold to one of Cyborg's arms as they continued down the hall. Slade walked side by side with Raven as he eyed the different things going on. He saw servants stopping what they were doing to see them, and he saw how amazing architecture was. He stored away all the ideas for when and if he returned to his own dimension. They came to two large silver door, and this is where the General stopped. The General looked at Raven before speaking,

"Go through those doors, Lord Dread is waiting on you." With that he turned and left.

"This Lord Dread certainly has an unpleasant name." Starfire pointed out as the entered the doors. The room was massive. The rug that they walked on was black silk covered in crushed black roses. The walls held tapestries and pictures of battles. If the color being used wasn't black it was red. In the center of the room was a black and red throne the person sitting in it was covered in shadow.

"Come forward please. I would like to see the people that attacked some of my strongest guards." A deep majestic voice rumbled from the shadows. They obediently stepped closer. "Closer." They all took another step. "A lot closer." they walked closer to the throne. Raven gasped when she saw his face,

"It's you!" Dread frowned his face in confusion then pointed to himself

"Me? Child whatever do you mean?" Starfire grabbed her mouth in shock as the realization came to her. She looked at Raven, who was shaking herself out of her daze.

"You're the man from my vision."

"Rae are you alright?" Cyborg said slowly

"Don't you dare patronize me tin man. I saw him in my vision. This man is bad news." She began glaring at Cyborg "We have to get out of here. Now!" The Lord rose from his throne charcoal armor on his body except for the breast plate which was bloody red with a black Serpent on the whole center. He walked over to Raven glaring at her with his soulless sky blue eyes. Slade took a step in front of her pushing her behind him protectively.

"Leaving so soon? Sorry that won't be possible!" He shouted lounging at Raven that was behind Slade, but was met by an uppercut compliments of Slade.

"Let's get the hell out of here. Starfire make us an exit, baby!" Cyborg said taking charge of the situation. Starfire charged up she jetted into the air she fired eye beams and a huge star-bolt through the ceiling she let out a battle cry as she smashed through creating a huge hole.

"Guards stop them!" The dark lord yelled coming to his senses. Within seconds the throne room was crawling with soldiers. They began firing their futuristic laser weapons at them.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" The remain three were engulfed in black power as they were lifted off of the ground. They sailed through the air the black power protected them from the lasers being shot at them, but Raven was not accustom to dealing with lasers and began to loose her concentration. She dropped Cyborg but Starfire swooped him up Slade was slipping from her grasp. "Slade give me your hand." He did so quickly after seeing Cyborg dropped.

"Yes ma'am!" They made it out of the city safely they landed right where they began.

"Perfect. Just perfect." Raven spit out.

"We are right where we started!" Cyborg shouted angrily.

"You have a knack for stating the obvious." Slade stated

"Look shut-up man! If you hadn't tried to steal that damn Parallel device."

"Actually it is called the 'Parallax Apparatus'." Slade corrected

"We wouldn't be here!" Cyborg finished in annoyance.

"We shouldn't fight friends. We must stick together." Starfire said trying to calm the out of hand situation down. Cyborg and Slade continued to stare each other down.

"Look, we have a path let's take it and shut-up. You guys are giving me a headache."

"Excuse me Raven for being pissed!" Cyborg yelled in Raven's face. She glared at him then her face softened

"Anger changes nothing, Cy." She looked a moment longer then began walking down the path with Starfire close behind. Slade looked at Cyborg for a moment longer then gestured as well as said,

"After you."

"Screw you 'One eye'." As he walked behind the girls. Slade sighed shaking his head as he to followed.