Chapter Five: Searching
"Remind me why we're here?" Beastboy asked, gloomily looking around the long-dried walls of an abandoned sewer system.
"Because Raven is our friend, and we need Slade to get answers so we can help her," Robin said much too calmly. "I thought that much was obvious."
"Well, yeah," the changeling kicked an old soda can further down the tunnels. "But why are we here? Slade's smart, but I don't see why he would hide himself down in a place like this."
"The computer said that this was the most likely spot," Robin sighed.
The two of them continued on their way, exchanging banter to distract each other from the seriousness of the situation. Beastboy was actually surprised that his serious leader was joining in on the potentially-distracting activity, but he guessed that Robin must be feeling the strain as much as everyone else. If Slade was down here, it would either mean a hard and bloody battle, or more cryptic threats. If he wasn't in the sewers, then they would have to keep on searching all night. The winter sun had already set below the city's horizon, and it was getting cold. A slight scuffling brought the boys' attention to one of the many channels splitting off from the main tunnel. As they glanced at each other, Robin and Beastboy confirmed that whatever had made that sound was too big to be a rat.
"Don't attack unless we need to," Robin whispered quietly. "We can't defeat him with just the two of us."
Beastboy rolled his eyes, biting back a retort that they couldn't defeat Slade with all five of them there. He changed into a wolf and sniffed the air, giving his leader a nod when he recognized the enemy's scent. They crept forwards slowly and cautiously, peering around the edge of the tunnel at the same time. A singular robot stood in the knee-deep water of that particular sewer, looking straight at them. Robin stood up straight and Beastboy changed back into human form, both of them walking calmly up to Slade's electronic minion. Without even bothering to speak, Robin lifted the mask from the robot to reveal the screen underneath.
"Robin," the calm and cool voice resonated from the tinny speakers. "I'm glad you finally decided to show up. Tell me, how is our girl?"
"She's no one's girl," Robin said with a hint of steel in his voice. "And she's fine, no thanks to you."
"Glad to hear it." The boys could hear the smile in his voice. "I assume that you've come to ask about your impending doom. Sadly, I can't tell you much, and what I can, I won't. Just tell that little witch of yours not to do anything silly before she ends the world; it might get her killed."
Beastboy growled in protest and Robin decided that actions would be better than words. The robot collided with the opposite tunnel's wall with a resounding thunk. They turned and began to walk back to the nearest exit onto the street, each wondering what they were possibly going to tell the others. Whatever they would eventually up with, it wouldn't be a good thing to hear.
XXX
Meanwhile, back at Titan's Tower, Starfire had found something very interesting. She had been searching through sources from all different cultures, specifically the non-human ones, looking for something that might help them figure out the new prophecies. One of her very old story books, from the planet Gorgnack, told of an enchantress who was corrupted by herself, and proceeded to end the world. Of course, while it was relevant and would probably help them, Start was not at all happy with what it indicated. Frowning, she put it to the side and continued to scan through her books, deciding that she would show the others as soon as Robin and Beastboy got back.
A knock on her door tore the alien's attention away from her books. She glided over and opened it, revealing a worried looking Cyborg. "Have you found anything?" he asked, eying the large piles of books strewn across her floors.
"I have found only one possibility," Star admitted. "And I would share it with you when friends Robin and Beastboy return. Has your search been more successful?"
"Not at all," he sighed. "I'm currently running a scan through all the internet files. If there's anything relevant, the computer will pick it up. Even UFO sightings make the list! I can't do anything 'til it's done, though." His face darkened, losing all traces of humor. "Do you think that Slade's telling the truth?"
"I do not know," Star said, her eyes darting down the hall to where Raven's room lay. "She has said nothing to us about it, but she had hidden many things in the past. It is entirely possible that there is another prophecy. However, it is equally likely that Slade is attempting to distract us from one of his plans. I suppose that we will not know until we find him, or Raven has a vision."
XXX
Back in her room, Raven was pacing. She had looked through all her books the long way, unwilling to use her powers in the fear that they might really be dangerous. Now, she had nothing else to do but wait. Part of her wanted to go to Star and Cy, to just do something, while a much larger part was telling her to stay on her own. Raven knew that if she faced the worry and concern of her friends, sooner or later she would break. The last time she dealt with a prophecy, knowing that her friends cared so much had made her feel loved, but it also made the situation all the more painful.
'No,' she thought to herself. 'This time, I won't let them be harmed.' Suddenly, her vision flashed, and she sank to the floor. A vision was forcing itself upon her. Barren landscapes and glowing red eyes filled her mind, along with images that went by so fast she couldn't focus on them. A searing pain emanated from her chakra, the jewel set on her forehead, and Raven knew all at once that what Slade said was true – the prophecy would come to pass, whatever it was. As if it was a signal, the flashes stopped. The pain, though, only increased. That, coupled with the despairing knowledge, was too much for the empath. Kneeling on the floor in the middle of her beadroom, all alone, Raven screamed.
Duh duh DUH! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated more often! Argh! Darn life is getting in the way of my fandoms. However, I do have some good excuses:
1. I'm doing 12 hours of music every week, not including practice time
2. As well as said music and things like school and homework, I'm trying to write a full-length novel
3. I have to obey the basic human demands, like sleeping and eating
4. My computer keeps on chashing
These things said, I will try to update as often as I can. As soon as my book's done I'll have a lot more free time, I promise! If you have any suggestions about where the story should go, please let me know! Also, reviewed are a great way to guilt me into updating more.