A New Life

Beast Boy lurched forward, panting heavily. He had been overcome with nightmares and visions. He could never make them out but they seemed to be a darkness lurking inside his mind. It had been about three days since Raven had gone away from the Tower. Away from him, never to be heard from again. He became broken after she left. The Beast within him wanted to come out and tear everything into bits and pieces. He felt like there was a gnawing in his aching chest now.

He had an understanding that it was his fault but he couldn't help but blame Terra as well. If she hadn't come back he wouldn't have lost Raven. Terra had a beauty to her and innocence just like himself. They were so alike in so many ways. Yet he only wanted his little, mysterious bird to come back to him. She was perfect and he wished he would have seen it earlier. She might have been sinister, indifferent and cold on the outside but he knew her better. On the inside she was soft and breakable and he had broken her. He knew that by looking into her eyes that night. She might have been able to cover up her emotions on the surface but he could see it in her eyes that she had become lifeless. He royally screwed up this time.

He sighed and got up, dreading for the day ahead. He didn't want to face the others again. When they had found out what he had done they had been furious to put it lightly. Starfire was even so mad that she destroyed most of their things. The acid from her starbolts had burned straight through very expensive and hard to replace technology. He was a little taken aback at Terra's reaction. She had been smirking like she had when she was evil. Her eyes seemed to even turn an icier blue. It was like looking into a furnace and knowing it would be so cold that you would burn alive. He suppressed a shudder at the thought.

He decided to get the day over with and done so he headed to the control room. When he walked in he found all the Titans there, well almost all of them. Robin, whose mood was darkened from Raven's absence, was on the database checking for any leads on their runaway. Starfire was in the kitchen making her Pudding of Sadness that tasted like acid and custard. Cyborg was scanning another computer for information for anything that would bring his little sister back. The atmosphere seemed somber and empty without Raven here, like there was coldness to the air that could suffocate you. He then noticed the blonde. Terra sauntered up to him and leaned herself against him trying to be seductive. He really hoped they found Raven soon.

Raven was hidden in the shadows of the docks, watching the storm clouds roll in. She had been aware of the Titans efforts at trying to find her, but if she didn't want to be found then she wasn't. She had a strong feeling to be a bad girl. She had saved the world already from her father and yet the Earth was still in horrid shape because of the people inhabiting it. She wanted another rush, one from doing something bad, but she was a bit afraid to. Some of her emotions, mainly intelligence, were screaming at her to go back to the Titans and that she was being stubborn and was over-reacting. She felt she was over-reacting in just the right amount. Whether she knew it or not, though, Rage was growing inside of her waiting for the right moment to come out.

There was a slight scrape of noise, only hearable through her demon side, behind her. She could feel an aura coming in strong waves, overpowering her senses. She turned quickly and saw nothing. Figuring it was just her imagination playing tricks on her and writing it off she had let her guard down for just enough time for someone to attack her. She was knocked onto her back, the concrete not making any damage if only because of her cloak. She looked up and into the eyes of a monster. She heard the intake of breath she had made and scolded herself for showing anything to him.

This man, no, this monster was looking at her in amusement. She became furious when she saw the hidden laughter in his eyes.

"Sweet Raven," The man purred.

"Malchior," Raven ground out, standing onto her feet again.

Malchior was in a human form and looked very lethal. He seemed to have an aura that said mess with me and I'll break your neck. He had long, luscious black hair and dark reddened eyes. He gave a smirk that showed off his fangs. His skin was even paler than hers. He was dressed in all black and had kept it simple, not wanting to stand out she guessed. He had black combat boots, cargo pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt on. He just screamed sex appeal.

She narrowed her eyes.

"What do you want," She spoke demanding.

"I'm here to invite you to a little dinner," He said maliciously, making her want to shudder but she suppressed it.

"Dinner," She said slowly, trying to understand his intentions.

"Yes, my new acquaintance would like to speak to you."

She had a really bad feeling about this. You know the one where you think the people in horror movies are stupid and all? Yeah, she felt like she was being the stupid person in a horror movie just for sticking around.

"So, you're a messenger boy?" She smirked, trying to get on his nerves. She did just that she noted when she saw his smirk flicker.

"No. actually that person is Slade."

"Wha-"

Before she could do anything she felt herself being transported. It was a nauseating feeling actually. All the spinning, squeezing and tugging gets to you. She then felt herself land on her feet and she opened her eyes.

She was in a large dining room. The colors were a brilliance of red, gold and cream. There were intricate paintings that looked alive, as if telling a story. The glass windows were grand and glittered in the candle lights from the chandelier. The chandelier itself was magnificent. It sparkled with silver and hanging crystals, candles giving off its light. There was a huge mahogany table in the center with a red cloth draping over it. Silver place settings were aligned in order and vases of tiger lilies were set out. She noticed there were only two exits, a single door probably leading into the kitchen and a pair of double doors.

The room itself looked like a piece of art. She felt like she was in a Victorian painting almost. Then she remembered what Malchior had said. The two double doors opened up and she saw the figure of a hated enemy. It was Slade.

The way he walked gave off the tone of respect. He was definitely not a person that you wanted to displease. She could tell that he still had all of his strength if not more by how his armor fit him. She, even though would not admit, was intimidated. She had then noticed that Malchior had gone. She gulped.

"My dear, make your-self at home," He said in a sick, sweet voice. Raven cautiously moved forward and sat down on one of the chairs.

"What do you want with me?" She asked.

"It has come to my intention that you are, in a sense, no longer employed," He said taking a seat. He then made a gesture and some old man came into the room. The man looked old, with balding grey hair but he carried himself with a dignity that impressed Raven. He had dinner plates with him and a wine bottle on a cart. As he was setting their meals up Raven turned her focus back on Slade.

"Yes, I am, but what does that have anything to do with you?" She asked having a bad feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She had destroyed her communicator and trackers but this was Slade she was dealing with. She might need help.

"I have a business proposition," He stated. She raised her eyebrow up for him to continue and he got the message.

"Become my partner. I could train you; help you control the demon inside of you for your own use. You could have power, a new start, and a rush. And your revenge."

Raven was shocked when he added that. She hadn't even thought about revenge, but then she thought about Terra and it made her blood boil. His offer was short and to the point, and not a huge speech that would only work on Robin and Terra. She liked that. Apparently he had noticed she hated when people wouldn't just say what they wanted and she was actually kind of touched that he had noticed it in the first place.

She pondered her options. Stay alone and on the run, go back to the Titans having to deal with Terra and Beast Boy. That would be humiliating enough on her part. Or she could stay here and have a partner, a mentor, someone who could help her gain control and get revenge. She could have a new life. She smirked, Rage influencing her choice only a little, and looked him in his piercing blue eye.

"When can I start?"