"Damn it, Rae, keep your hands up!" Hans exclaimed over the roar of the crowd, watching her continually take shot after shot. No matter how much she tried, the powerful blows made their way through her defense. They were visibly affecting her, seeing how she had been taking this kind of punishment for two rounds already, and the third was little over half over. To top off this seemingly daunting situation she currently faced, even when she did connect cleanly with a good counter, or slipped, Evanna continued her onslaught as if nothing happened. Even when she had time to roll with the punch, it still jarred her bearings, enough to make her to start to have concerns. Evanna delivered a wrenching body blow that shook Raven to her core, causing her to lurch forward, clinching her with her remaining strength she possessed on her feet.
"Get away from her!" He ordered, nearly irate, "stick and move, stick and move!"
The referee broke them up; Raven really wished that the round would end soon, as she was pretty much out on her feet. Though her right eye was inert of sight, she still felt the pain as it was swelling, each blow that landed upon it only aggravating it that much more. Her nose still hadn't healed completely from the illegal blow she received from Mitzer, now dripping from time to time. Raven felt as if her sides were ablaze, each blow as destructive as the last. Yet, she wasn't about to give up, though down on points, she was far from giving up. Though, it only angered her that much more when Evanna was merely smirking in her current upper hand over Raven as the duo continued their brutal dance. Tired of her laughing in her face, Raven went on the offensive, but it was what was expected of her. Evanna slipped Raven's lagging right hook, leaving her wide open for a counter. Evanna seized the opportunity, drawing her right hand back as far as it could go, and releasing a hellish haymaker with all her might. It connected with robust energy, as it spun Raven's head far to her right, her body following, as she went down, crashing to a heap. The referee quickly sent Evanna to a neutral corner as he began counting.
"1…2…3…" Raven heard as if it were a distance voice, highly distorted, feeling the trickle of blood flow down her face as she made her way to her hands and knees, still unable to focus.
"Rae, for the love of God, get up!" Hans exclaimed, her fans feeling the same way at the moment, but she heard him as she heard the referee, still shaking her head in an attempt to get her vision, and coordination back. "4…5…6…7…"
"I can't get up," Raven thought, still trying with all her might, but unable to rise, as she kept falling back to a knee, "no matter how hard I try, my body won't let me get up."
"8…9…" The referee continued as regulations should, the bell crisply resounding, ending the round, and saving Raven from a loss that could have prove disastrous for her. Evanna smugly returned to her corner, Raven finally, as well as weakly, rose to her feet, and collapsing in her corner, nearly exhausted.
"You still with me, Rae?" Hans concernedly questioned, trying to cool her off, "take a deep breath, well; several of them, that doesn't mean nothing, don't let it get to you."
She spit into the bucket, clearly tainted with blood.
"She's…strong," Raven managed, gasping for breath.
"Shh, just relax," Hans ordered, "the next time she tries shit like that, don't go for it, stop fighting her fight, and fight yours. You scared me for a second there, Rae."
"The cut…" Raven interrupted, still feeling her blood run down her face.
"I got it, let me do my job," he assured, wiping it away. "Keep your hands up, you gotta protect this now, she's hurt you, and now she's going to keep working it, don't let her.
"Let me look at her," the ring doctor ordered, Hans quickly wheeling around.
"You get the hell away, she's fine," he snapped, "Let me do my job, and get out of my corner."
The ring doctor subsided, seeing how serious Hans was, and knew that even for an older man, he wasn't one to mess with.
"Alright, Rae, you listening to me?" Hans beckoned as he turned back to her, gently grasping her by the shoulders, getting her attention. She nodded, seeing that she was actually there, and not out on her feet.
"Good, now, use your head, think," he continued, "She may be strong as an ox, but she's about as smart as one, too. Get her to wear herself out, make her chase you, just don't stand toe-to-toe with her. I know there's bad blood between you two, but getting your head caved in because you want to do it your way isn't going to help anything."
"Yeah, I got you," Raven replied, her breaths now deeper, less rapid or shallow than they were earlier. "As long as you have faith in me, I do in you."
"Rae, you have no idea on how much faith I got in you, now get in there, and show her how it's done, prove to these people you aren't a pushover. You've got me convinced, its up to you to get them to believe."
With somewhat of a renewed vigor, Raven rose from her stool, her spirits, though still low from nearly losing, were somewhat raised, giving her the feeling that she could just possibly pull it off. She greatly enjoyed the somewhat of a rest, and it showed as she started the 4th round. Like clockwork, Evanna went on the offensive again, but, Raven realizing that she was letting her pride override her judgment before, slipped it with ease. A multi-blow combination was sent in Raven's direction as a punishment for her first mockery against her abilities, and, once more, she easily dodged all of the. The crowd was insatiable at the point, as Raven, who nearly lost only moments ago, was back on her feet, and showing she was all there, ready to continue.
"Nice show of skills, Rae," Hans' voice sounded closer than ever, "now how 'bout using the ones to hit her back!"
Sure enough, no sooner than Hans finished his statement, Evanna went on the attack again, Raven blocking the first two blows, the third clearly missing its mark, and she seized the opportunity. As if it were hardwired into her mind as a reaction, Raven struck back with her own right hook, the blow clearly affecting her for once. Before Evanna could cover up or even contemplate about getting away, she delivered a lightning-fast left to the body, and finishing with a vicious right uppercut, sending Evanna reeling for a moment, but she remained on her feet, and didn't wait for Raven to come to her by no means. Once more, as if she hadn't learned before, Evanna went straight at her, throwing a jab as she did, Raven easily ducking under her extended arm, connecting with a right to the body, then a left to the head. Evanna did managed to get a right to connect in the exchange though, enough to let Raven know that she was still there, and she wasn't about to go down. In the heat of the excitement, the bell finally sounded, and a more than pleased Raven simply walked back to her corner, knowing that she was turning the tide, or was going to go down trying.
"Now that's what I call heart," Hans smiled, "keep that up and it's yours. Let her know who's the better fighter."
Raven merely nodded, still remaining focused, as it was going to take all that she had to get a win. Though Raven was highly skilled in her teachings as a martial artist, this was far different, and as with Evanna. It was apparent that once she heard that Raven was to enter as a competitor in this tournament, she trained harder than anyone though possibly. Hans was right though, Raven was more than physically prepared for this, it was the matter of getting her mind to work in sync with it. She also noticed that the many people in the crowd that doubted her had come to life once more, chanting her name more rigorously than ever before.
"I can't let them down," she thought as she arose once more, feeling the pure energy around her in the air seemingly to power her, keep her going, "they want me to win, they are counting on me, I am counting on me, and I'm not about to let myself down, not here, not now."
Though exhausted, battered, and bruised, Raven aptly went back into the fray at the start of the round, using her newly-found energy that decided to reveal itself in a time of severe retention. Evanna's smug sense of satisfaction gave way to one of serious concentration, as well as tinged with anger, seeing how Raven was basically mocking her, as she had done in the past, turning her opponent's strengths against them, and turning them into their own weaknesses. Raven's nearly mechanical countering was finally taking its toll. Evanna was ready for anything offensive from Raven, but it was when she essentially snuck in and penetrated her defense is when they began to actually affect, even pain her to a degree. In any case, it wasn't long before Raven had actually drawn blood from Evanna, finally proving she wasn't invincible. She was just as human as Raven was, and wasn't about to let Evanna's so-called "advantages" stop her now.
"That's it, just like that, Rae, keep it up," Hans called out, more than pleased with her performance, "she's all yours, put her down!"
Sure enough, with her next counter, Raven went on the offensive, landing several punishing blows in rapid succession, enough to put Evanna's back on the ropes. Evanna was powerless in the sudden rush, only wishing to protect herself, but it was proving futile. Raven delivered a trio of body blows, the final right of that surely getting through as Raven heard the wind knocked from her lungs. Just as she was about to finish her off, the bell sounded.
"Damn it, Rae," Hans said in a congratulatory tone, grinning, "there's no way you can lose now, keep that up. She can't take much more of that."
"There's a lot of fight left in her," she commented through her breaths. "I don't know if I have what it takes to put her down."
"Don't talk like that," he warned, "you are more than capable. Just keep doing what you're doing, and it's in the bag. Don't focus on knocking her down, Rae, just keep working her the way you are, she may go down, she may not, but if she doesn't, then you need to make sure you prove to the judges that you are the winner, because I already know you are."
Though it pained her greatly, she managed a weak smile. It was barely noticeable, but Hans could see it.
"You've got her where you want her, Rae," Hans added as she stood up, "just keep working her down."
"I'll do more than that," she commented, more than ready to finish what she started.
With even more renewed vigor, Raven bolted forth, not giving her opponent any room to escape whatsoever. She drove Evanna back as if she were nothing, beginning a flurry of blows that seemed relentless and unending, each just as powerful as the last. Even though only mere seconds of this felt like an eternity to her, Evanna managed to escape, weakly making her way out of the corner by slipping past Raven, keeping her distance in hope of formulating a plan as to not only win, but to survive against the raw power she managed to unleash upon herself. Even though Evanna was catching Raven with clean punches, it wasn't affecting her, as if the tables had turned. Instead of being the confident fighter she was in the beginning, she was now nothing more than prey for Raven, as she could tell by the look in her eyes. No matter how she evaded, Raven was always right back in her face, delivering devastating blow after blow, yet, neither was going to cave. The only thing Raven could hear by now was not her breathing, nor the sounds of their bout, but that of the crowd, as it was almost paining her ears, the sheer tenacity of the roar was unsettling, though most of it was for her. It was clear Evanna's dominance was gone, as with most of her seemingly inhuman strength, as her size advantage was now only extra weight slowing her down. Raven using her superior agility to outmaneuver and outwit her opponent. Through it all, Raven managed to here the 10 second warning, automatically knowing that if she was going to do anything, it must be done now. With a final explosive burst of energy, she leapt upon her wounded prey with more ferocity than she had before, easily driving her up against the ropes with her onslaught. Evanna was doing nothing more than covering up, nearly doubled over as she attempted to shield her face and torso, but it was proving futile, as Raven knocked her hands away with ease, living her wide open. A right with immense force connected, knocking Evanna's mouthpiece out of her mouth, yet, she remained standing. Raven followed up with a left with just as much power, knocking her around like a rag doll, once more, her feet remained planted, and showed no sign of going down. With all her might, and enraged by Evanna's "defiance" to go down, she drew her own right hand back as far as she could, almost throwing her off balance. Raven's fist went forward with incredible speed, as every ounce of remaining energy she possessed went into it. It cleanly landed like a shockwave, blood visibly exiting Evanna's mouth, and her body twirled with the shot, but she remained against the ropes, sliding down them towards her corner. Much to Raven's surprise, she didn't go down, she was barely on her feet, but before she could finally solidify a win, the bell rung over the roar of the crowd, and much like the round, the match was over. Raven staggered to Hans, as he was in the ring already, ready to place her ring coat back on her, as well as one of the biggest smiles she had seen from him since she met him.
"That was…amazing," he ecstatically announced as he placed it on her shoulders. "do you have any idea on how extraordinary of a feat you just accomplished?"
She just shook her head, unable to catch her breath for a reply of any kind.
"Coming back the way you did, Rae, how could you not notice that?"
"I was a little busy, Hans," she managed, even in her state; she still had time to be sarcastic.
The old man only smiled at her, seeing how optimistic she managed to be, even after the hell she just went through. The referee directed them to step to the center, while the announcer had entered the ring as well. He took hold of the microphone as it made its short descent.
"After 6 sensational rounds, this match has come to a close, and will come by decision from the scorecards," he stated, the crowd falling silent as they awaited the verdict to the brutality they just witnessed for entertainment.
"Why's this taking so long?" Raven questioned, feeling slightly better after being able to rest for longer than minute.
"I don't know, Rae," Hans admitted, "but it can't be good."
Raven merely looked forward, awaiting much like everyone else was.
The announcer finally received the scorecards from the three ringside officials.
"Coming by a split decision, a rather close one at that," he informed, everyone on the edge of their seats as to who was the winner. "The winner by decision, and advancer to the finals, is…"
By now, everyone was holding their breath, even Raven, as she knew it was close, too close. A million different thoughts went through her mind at that moment, processing all the different possibilities, all the events, all the actions. Yet, they all led to the same conclusion, no matter which way she looked at it.
"Evanna Mechtilde!" He exclaimed, motioning towards her, yet, she wasn't in any condition to be celebrating, as she had her head doubled over a pail, blood dripping profusely from her mouth.
No sooner than the winner was declared, the crowd turned into a frenzy of boos and offensive remarks towards the officials. The situation was bad enough to be on the breaking point of becoming a full-fledged riot. Raven's spirit was shattered, caring about nothing at all at the moment.
"Come on, Rae," Hans disappointedly motioned. He was more than proud of her; it was the blind judges' ruling that upset him so.
Raven obliged, making her way out, walking back up the short walkway, the one she had taken every time in victory, now the first in defeat. As she passed, fans were patting her on the shoulder, saying congratulatory things, telling her she was the true winner and would be to them. Yet, she continued, ignoring them, almost as if she were dead to the world, though most of it already thought that. Her silence seemed to keep Hans more than concerned about her well-being.
"It happens to the best of us," he finally managed as he let her into the locker room. "Finds one hell of a time to sneak up on you, too."
Raven merely sat down, slowly lifting her hands to allow him to undo her tape.
"Are you not going to talk to me now?" Hans requested, beginning to undo her right hand, immediately noticing her face to cringe in pain, but no sound of a reaction. "That's not good, now hold still."
He continued his tedious task unraveling the white wrap, but after he made several passes of undone cloth, Hans noticed crimson beginning to soak through. Concerned for the condition of her hand, he cautiously continued, finally sighting the source. Her middle knuckle had been split open, and her wrist was clearly sprained from the jarring force she had put on it when it connected. Raven sat idle as she looked at it, watching the blood merely drip every now and then from the small wound.
"That was one hell of a punch to do that, Rae," Hans commented, beginning to work on it. "No wonder why she had her head in that bucket pretty much."
"Is it broke?" Raven monotonously questioned disappointment clearly in her voice.
"Just sprained," Hans informed, "still, that was something else, Rae, I've never seen anyone come back like that and do what you did."
"It still wasn't enough," she replied, "no matter which way you look at it, it wasn't enough. She won, I lost, it's over."
"No, Raven, it isn't" Hans protested, "It's far from over. One loss isn't the end of things."
"It is for me!" She exclaimed, finally coming to life, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "The only reason I did this was to accomplish my goals and get home, and now that can't happen. I failed my friends once, and I've failed myself this time. I don't want both to happen at the same time."
"Rae, cal-"
"No," she interrupted, looking directly at him, "any time I come close to completing my tasks, something, someone, or some reason always gets in the way, making it that much more difficult. What's the point of continuing if all I do is fail at every turn?"
He sternly took her by the shoulders, as she felt his grip, a rather strong one for his age.
"Now you listen to me," he ordered, face-to-face with her. "I don't know about you, but I didn't see failure. I saw someone prevail over insurmountable odds, and only fell short because of someone else's fault. Raven, don't ever doubt yourself, ever again."
Though his words were true, she merely broke his hold on her, knocking his arms away, standing up. He backed away from her as she stood, her quickly grabbing her clothing, as well as her bag she carried everything in, making her way to the door.
"Where are you going?" Hans asked, still concerned for her, wishing he was able to do something, but there wasn't much to do.
"Alexa will know where to find me," she merely replied as she closed the door behind her, before Hans could even mouth any kind of reply.
"Failure seems to follow you everywhere you go, child," a haunting voice echoed in her mind, one she thought she had long suppressed for good. "Even after all I did for you, you utterly failed me."
"No," Raven denied in her mind, "not now, not ever. You will not take control of me."
"You have no say in the matter, my dear," he replied with a sinister hiss. "You're weak, doubtful, and best of all, frightened. Now is a perfect time."
"I will not let you," she made heard once more. "You are nothing more than an apparition that haunts me. Leave me alone!"
"Every single waking moment you have, child, I will be there with you. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, I will be there, so get used to it."
Raven felt the same uneasy, disturbing feeling she did in the forest so long ago, and feared the worst conceived thing was going to happen then and there: She was going to lose control. She battled with it, the force of the feeling waxing and waning, going from one extreme to the next. The force grew and grew, near the breaking point, Raven could feel it, and she knew what the consequences would be if she released that pent-up energy upon the environment around her: total destruction.
"No," she gritted, holding the energy back within her vessel, clearly struggling. "I will not hurt anyone else because of this, and you will not force me to."
"Interesting," he commented with a chuckle of sorts, "you have seemed to have found a way to stop it…for now. I assure you, Raven, I will be back, when you least expect it. Until then, farewell…Apprentice."
She panted as his chuckling slither of a voice faded back into her sub consciousness, sweat beading down her face. Raven finally looked around, her surroundings coming back into focus once more. She had already cleaned up and left, well on her way down the empty street, as the late summer air in the dusk of evening was more than hospitable.
"Why did he leave so easily?" Raven questioned herself still, beginning to continue her way to her destination. "Whatever I did, I need to find out what it is, because it will be the only thing that will prevent me from hurting innocent people."
Meanwhile, Alexa returned to the cubical room they had been using, more than happy as she entered.
"Guess who's going on to the finals?" She smiled, even though she had just finished, it was hard to tell through her mood at the moment. "The one and only, me."
Hans acknowledged, but he was more focused on cleaning up the area around him. Alexa immediately noticed red-stained gauze, as well as used bandages and whatnot.
"What's wrong, Hans?" She approached, seeing he was clearly troubled.
"Take a guess," he snorted of sorts, "those damned judges…"
"Oh, God," Alexa realized, "don't tell me Raven…"
"Yeah, she did, Alexa." Hans finalized, continuing to clean. "Came to a decision, and she got the raw end of the deal on that one."
"Oh, man," she sighed, "well, where is she now? She's ok, isn't she?"
"From what I could tell, she was fine, all there and everything, but I don't know where she went, Alexa, she just up and left."
"She didn't say where she was going?"
"Raven told me that you would know where to find her, that's all she said."
"Oh, that's just great," Alexa commented, clearly frustrated now, "Hans, you stay here; I'll call you when I catch up with her. I have a good idea on where she's at."
After quickly washing and changing into street clothes, Alexa bolted outside, even though she was more than exhausted from her recent match.
"That damn girl," she cursed to herself as she jogged up the street, the sun now ducking behind the building tops, as nightfall was only moments away. "I really hope she isn't doing something stupid."
Alexa followed her hunch, dashing up to the entrance to the bar her and Raven frequented from time to time. She threw the door open, the patrons looking up from their business, but realizing who it was, much like them, a regular. Sure enough, hunched over at the bar itself was a violet-haired woman. Alexa stepped up and knocked her hand down, as she appeared to be taking a drink of something.
"What the hell was that for?" Raven queried, wheeling around, seeing who it was.
"This is no way to deal with this, Rae," she warned.
"It's water."
"Excuse me?"
"I said its water, Alexa," Raven assured, swirling it around. "I just needed to get out of there to think. I'm not dumb enough to come here and try to drink my problems away. It only causes more."
"Well, ok, as long as you haven't been drinking," she reasoned, sitting next to her, the barkeep coming over. "Are you sure she hasn't had anything?"
He merely shook his head, agreeing with Raven's claim.
"Fine, well, just give me some water, too," she requested, a glass being set down in front of her.
"So, how did your fight go?" Raven aptly questioned, still staring into her glass, while her other hand lay in a small tub of ice, as she apparently requested it as well.
"Hold that thought," Alexa interjected, "you need to tell me what's going on with you. Losses happen, Rae, why did you up and leave like that?"
"I…I don't know," she managed, "just because I fought my heart out, and it came up to nothing. I really needed that money, Alexa, I needed it to continue on my way and get home eventually. Without it, things are only that much more difficult, if not near impossible now."
"I think it has something more to it than what you're telling me," Alexa pressed, looking over at her, seeing her hand. "Trust me, you'll feel better about the whole ordeal if you just tell someone about it, so why not your friend?"
Raven sighed, shifting her position slightly.
"I knew it was going to be close, and I really wanted to put her down so bad, but she wouldn't. After nearly losing, because I was saved by the bell in the 3rd, I fought as hard as I physically could. I gave everything I had, plus more, and it still wasn't enough. I just feel like I failed myself, and if I can't even succeed with my own ambitions, then how am I to return to my friends? It all just seems so…hopeless now. Like a reality check."
"The reality check is that this proves you are willing to keep going, no matter what, no matter the outcome, Rae. Most fighters, if not all, would have not come back at all. I didn't get to see it, but from by the way you're looking right now, you took a hell of a beating. Even after that, you kept going, and didn't stop until it was done. That is just simply astonishing to me, so never feel like you're a failure, Rae, because from what you've told me, the past and now, you are far from one, and never will be. Always remember that."
Raven merely smirked, downing the rest of her water.
"You know what? You'd make a great motivational speaker. Hell, you probably could make a career out of it." She joked.
"I use my hands, not my brain," Alexa quipped.
"Not true, you use your head as a catcher's mitt sometimes."
Alexa couldn't help but laugh, seeing she had managed to lift Raven's spirits somewhat.
"So, let me see your hand," she motioned, pointing to it as it was laying on the ice.
"It's nothing," Raven assured, lifting it, holding it over to where Alexa could inspect it herself.
"The hell it is," she announced, looking at the gauzed-up knuckle, blood soaking through, as well as the black, nearly blue bruise that encompassed her entire wrist. "You need to get this checked out."
"Hans said it was just sprained, take some time to heal, but nothing drastic," Raven nonchalantly informed.
"Do I even need to ask how it happened?"
"Only Evanna catching what was probably one of the most powerful right hands to the head she'll ever experience."
"Damn," Alexa cursed out of amazement, "and she didn't go down from that? God, I don't know if could have taken that, I don't think I want to see what her face looks like."
No sooner than she finished her statement, the subject of the conversation cautiously approached, Alexa first catching glimpse of her, but said nothing. She tapped Raven on the shoulder gently, getting her attention.
"May I sit?" She requested in her broken English, not to mention the fact of how much gauze had been packed into the left side of her mouth.
"Yeah…sure," Raven motioned, unsure to her motives, as well as ready to defend herself.
"Look…Raven, was it?" She managed her heavy accent, as well as afflicted injury making it hard to understand her. "I want to apologize."
"For what?" Raven stated, surprised, turning to face her, but still cautious herself. "I thought this was the point of the sport."
"No, no, not that," she corrected, "I want to say sorry for what happened. You are winner."
Raven was caught completely off-guard by this, so Evanna continued.
"I knew you won, but judges saw differently. I wanted to overturn decision, but they say no. I no allowed forfeit either."
"What's with the sudden change of heart?" Raven questioned, checking her tone, as she could see that Evanna was serious.
"I acted ill towards you when I first met, and I feel bad for it. I deserved what I got that time. I know first impressions last, but I try to fix."
"Are you suggesting that you want to level with me?" Raven queired, finding it odd, but seeing where it was coming from.
"Yes, after seeing how much you wanted win, I realized that my only reason was to get you, and that was wrong. I feel bad for it, and wish to apologize. I know it be awkward, but I want to be friends."
"Friends?" Raven said with a cocked eyebrow.
"Yes, I see no reason for us to quarrel the way we did, and I don't want it anymore." Evanna extended her hand. "Friends?"
Raven thought for a moment, glancing at Alexa, who merely motioned for her to do what she wished, as it was indeed Raven's choice. Raven cautiously accepted.
"Friends." Raven slowly replied, still finding the term odd between the two of them.
"If you'll excuse me, friend," Evanna stated in her broken English, as she was evidently trying to impress Raven, "I go to hospital now. You knock tooth out, as well as fracture jaw, so I hurt, need medical assistance."
"Oh, well, ok," Raven added, weakly smiling, "I suppose I knocked sense into you, yes?"
"Maybe," Evanna managed, grinning, showing the damage that Raven had done, and it wasn't pretty by any means. "Well, I go now."
Raven waved her off, as she exited, turning back to Alexa.
"You have any idea on what kind of person it took to do that?" Alexa complimented. "If it would have been me, I would have been all over her. From what I saw Rae, you messed her up good."
"I already have enough enemies as it is in the world," Raven replied, "I don't need anymore."
"Makes sense," Alexa suggested as she removed her cell phone from her pocket, "well, I got to call Hans, I told him I would after I found you, he's really worried about you."
"That's fine, let me talk to him when you do," Raven answered, motioning for her to hand the phone to her. Alexa held up her hand, telling her to wait.
"Hans? It's Alexa. Yeah, I found her. Yes, Hans, she's fine, you can talk to her if you want." Alexa conversed, then handing the phone to Raven.
"Hello?" Raven requested.
"Rae, thank God, I thought you done went and done something stupid," Hans' voice answered, "please tell me you're alright."
"I'm fine, actually, since Alexa came, better," Raven admitted. "It still hurts, but not as much now."
"Your hand or the loss?"
"Both, you senile old man," Raven joked, getting a hearty laugh out of him on the other end of the line.
"Well, when the two of you get to feeling better, stop back by."
"Alright, will do," Raven answered.
"Wait a minute, I almost forgot," Hans quickly stated before Raven hung up, "Tell Alexa that the finals has been pushed back to little over 2 weeks from now after they checked Evanna over. Damn it, Rae, you sure did one hell of a number on her."
"Alright, I'll tell her, I'll talk to you later," Raven assured, closing the portable phone, handing it back to Alexa.
"What did he say?" Alexa requested, finishing her water much like Raven did.
"That they pushed the finals back since I messed Evanna up so bad, so I assume that you are in the finals as well?" Raven deducted, seeing Alexa brimming with pride.
"Yup," she answered, "but I do have one more request of you, seeing how you said you were leaving after this was all done with."
"What's that?" Raven asked out of amusement.
"I want you to be in my corner for the finals, Rae," she politely stated, catching her off guard, "I need you to be there for me, besides, you're a helluva lot better than I am, so you could show me a thing or two."
"I'd be honored, but I wouldn't go that far," Raven replied with a smile, "I only learned everything I know from Hans and you."
"Yet," Alexa pointed out, "you've managed to take that and turn it into something that I only hope to emulate and Hans is just amazed on how far and fast you progressed."
"I suppose," Raven humbly enjoyed, not being one to gloat, but it did feel good to have someone idolize you. "I really don't want to leave."
"Then don't, Rae," Alexa quickly stated, "you can live with me, no big deal, me and you, two of the greatest friends in the world, without a care."
"I really wish I could, but I have to complete my teachings since I don't have anything useful, and I need to return to my friends. There is no way things can be fine or "ok" since they thought I died."
"We're gonna miss you so much though," Alexa reasoned, as she was truly hurt, now that Raven's time for her departure was nearing.
"I'll keep in touch or something," Raven assured, but before she could come up with an idea, Alexa had already requisitioned a napkin and a pen.
"Here, Rae," she stated, scribbling something down. "I am giving you my mother's address, she lives in Gotham. I'll even put the number down."
"Why would I need that if you are living in Berlin still?" Raven deduced, not quite following her logic.
"Well, I'm moving back home," she smiled, looking up at Raven. "I finally found out that there's nothing really here for me, and if I want to go anywhere in life, I need to be back with people who care about me. Hans said he had a few friends in the 'States that could help me out too, since I really don't want to give up what I love doing. When you get done doing whatever it is that you need to do, be sure to look me up."
"I will, Alexa," Raven returned the smile, extending her hand, "I promise you. You can count on it."
Alexa accepted the handshake, as it seemed to be a custom staple between the two of them.
"I'll be waiting for you then," Alexa motioned, getting up, "I don't know about you, Rae, but I'm hungry."
"Right behind you," Raven said in agreement as they left. "I'd like to get some more ice though. I got a headache like no other."
Needless to say, the next couple of weeks went by as if they were nothing. In between Alexa merely keeping up with her conditioning, to just the two of them being the best of friends, seeing how they were to part soon, and had not idea on how long it would be until they meet again. Yet, they understood as a mutual agreement as it must be that way. Raven needed to continue on her way, much like she had planned since being allowed to live once more, while Alexa had bigger and better plans, as well as planning on mending ties between her and her mother. Raven hoped to do the same with her friends, as it would be rather…different for someone who was perceived dead, just appearing out of the blue, proving that she had really never left, but merely was misplaced in a sense. It pained both of them equally, but it must be done. In any case, when the time for the finals came, they luckily moved the venue to another gym, as it was nearly twice the size of Hans', so it could easily handle the crowd that had went well over capacity in the semis. The match was indeed a sight to see, one had to be there to witness it to actually be able to understand the intensity that took place before them. It was scheduled for 10 rounds, and it went well into the 10th. The final moments of that round produced a winner, as Alexa, though thoroughly exhausted and in pain beyond no other, managed to overcome her greater opponent with a spectacular knockout. All in all, Alexa may have been skilled enough to defeat her, but it was Raven that kept her going, keeping her spirits up, not to mention the fact that Hans had taught her every trick of the trade of being a cutman, well, woman. For the two of them, rest would be much appreciated beyond no other.
"Come on, Alexa," Raven called from the living room, impatiently. "Everyone's waiting down at the gym for you."
"Don't get your panties in a bunch," she called back, emerging from her room, her face still bearing the injuries she received only mere days ago.
"It hurts just looking at you," Raven jested, getting mocking laugh from Alexa.
"Ha, ha, very funny," Alexa replied, snatching up some of her belongings off of a endtable. "Memory serves me correctly; you had your face beat in too at one point, so we're even. I didn't rip you while you looked like hell."
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," Raven apologized, holding a newspaper up, "You saw today's paper?"
"It's no big," she stated, politely accepting it, seeing it was the Sports section, "no, I didn't, let me guess, they ran a story on me?"
"Wow, you're smart," Raven laughed, standing up from her seat on the couch. "Well, as soon as you're done wasting time, we've got to go."
"I'm in no hurry to listen to Hans be so proud of me, while the others kiss my ass, wait, maybe I do want that, ok, let's go," Alexa chuckled, Raven merely shaking her head, unable to help herself from laughing.
The two of them left her quaint residence, amongst the best compared to the rest of the neighborhood, but she couldn't argue with the price.
"I know you've heard it like a million times Rae," Alexa began as they strolled down the sidewalk on a warm, welcoming late summer day, as autumn was right around the corner, "but I really am going to miss you. I mean, we are like best friends, hell, we've been roommates, you're the next closest thing to family I have."
Raven thought for a moment as the two of them walked.
"Tell you the truth," she began, "I feel the same way. If it were under any other circumstances, I'd go with you, or you could go with me, but I just have a feeling that it was meant to be this way."
"Could have something to do with that whole destiny, prophecy thing?" She queried, remembering how much she had spoke of it in the past.
"Maybe, who knows? If it is, I really hope it is for some grander scheme that will prove to be for the better. I'm tired of finding all the hardships."
"If you turned into a cool, ass-kicking girl because of that stuff, I wouldn't have you any other way. I like you the way you are." Alexa leveled with her. "I know it sounds weird, but this is the only way I know you."
"I understand," she reasoned. "Besides, if it were the old me you met, I guarantee you wouldn't have liked me, and likewise for you. I guess things just change people, so it's at work here. In any case, I'm not too happy to what's happened to me, but I accept it, and I must keep going."
"As I have said over and over again," Alexa smiled, "that's what I like about you. You never give up, no matter what the situation.
"What can I say?" Raven jested, opening the door for Alexa, "I'm stubborn. Just about as stubborn as they come, too."
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Alexa laughed as she walked in, Raven following in tow.
They immediately noticed that all the lights were off, and once the door began to close behind them, the ray of light filtering it was fading fast.
"Are you sure Hans is here, Rae?" She requested, looking around in the darkness. "I don't think anyone's here."
"You've got to be kidding me," Raven began, "Hans told me 4:00 sharp, we're here, what's going on?"
No sooner than Raven finished her statement, the lights came up, revealing Hans, as well as many of their friends both Raven and Alexa had made and maintained. Yet, upon reading the banner hanging from the ceiling, it wasn't for Alexa, as it stated "Farewell, Raven".
"SURPRISE!" They all exclaimed as the lights came on, even Alexa, as she was in on it as well.
"What's all this?" Raven questioned out of disbelief, watching Hans approach her.
"What's it look like, Rae?" He smiled, looking up at her, "Alexa reminded me on how you were going to leave us soon, so we figured we'll see you off right."
"You don't need to do this, really," Raven humbly informed, only to have Hans hold up his hand in interruption.
"No, no, this is for you, you deserved it because you earned it." He stated, "Alexa's going to have plenty of time to celebrate, so it's your turn."
"Don't be a stick in the sand, Rae," Alexa gestured, "it's all for you, and me, well, mostly you."
"Ok, I get it," Raven smiled, "well; I hate to let you guys down, so let's live a little."
"That's what I like to hear," Hans chuckled, Raven walking beside him back towards the group.
"Here, here," Alexa added in agreement with a smile, following as well.
It wasn't until after she had managed to have enough of the farewell cake to make any normal person sick, before Raven was seated, her friends surrounding her.
"We all pitched in and got you something, Rae," Hans informed, handing her a medium sized box, delicately wrapped, well, to the best of his abilities that is.
"Seriously Hans, all of you, you didn't need to do this," Raven continued, still showing her humble self.
"Would you stop with that?" Alexa interjected, "just enjoy yourself. Now, open it, I guarantee you'll like it, well some of it anyway."
Raven merely shrugged her shoulders and set the present down, untying the bow with a delicate touch.
"For the love of God, Rae, rip the damn thing open," Alexa impatiently joked, getting a response of laughter from the group as they waited.
Sure enough, after the bow came off, Raven vigorously ripped the wrapping paper away with ease, revealing the plain cardboard box underneath of it.
"So far, looks rather…expensive," she commented out of hilarity, bringing her fingers underneath of the taped flaps that formed the top. She gently broke the weak hold the tape had upon the parcel, opening the flaps.
"Well," Alexa drew out, "what do you think?"
"I…I don't know what to say," Raven managed, lifting up her gift.
More or less, it was a combination of things. There were many photographs of events, both big and small, all of significance to Raven and her stay, as well as association with these people she considered friends. A tag hung from a pair of gloves, personalized just for Raven, as her name was stitched into them, as well as the colors matching her trunks.
"Yeah, that one's from me, Rae," Alexa made it clear, quite proud of her gift.
"Thanks, Alexa, I didn't know what I was going to do if I didn't know, especially since I'm so illiterate, I couldn't read the tag," Raven joked, being highly sarcastic.
"Keep going, that's not all," Hans motivated, wishing for her to keep going into the contents of the box before her.
She obliged, pulling the gloves free, setting them next to the small stack of photographs. She did notice there was something at the bottom, but it was covered by white paper, concealing it from view. Raven lifted it free, though it was small, it had somewhat of a heft to it.
"Let's see it already," Alexa pressed, and truly not knowing what was in it, as it was Hans' gift to Raven.
Raven ignored her overanxious friend as she continued unwrapping it delicately. She held her breath as she gazed upon it. Though it was just a simple wooden plaque, it had Raven's name upon it, but it was the record that was inscribed upon it that surprised her.
"I think this is wrong, Hans," Raven confusingly informed, glancing between it and him, "Not that I don't like it, I mean, I love it, but the numbers are wrong on here."
"No they're not," Hans smiled as he patted her gently on the shoulder, "to me, Alexa, and everyone else, you are undefeated at 12 and 0, I don't care what anyone else says."
"The only person left that doesn't think that way is, well, you," Alexa gestured.
Raven thought for a moment, still studying the beautifully crafted plaque.
"I…won; I was the winner, as long as I know that, that's all that matters."
"Precisely," Hans added, "Now, since it is yours, I thought I'd ask you this."
"Ask me what, Hans?" Raven questioned, looking up at him from her seated position.
"If you wanted to keep it, take it with you and such, or leave it here with me, and I'll hang it up as a reminder to all of us, maybe inspire a few of these guys around here."
"The latter of those two definitely sounds more satisfactory," Raven smiled, handing it to him, "you keep it, hang it up, besides, you guys gotta have something to remember me by, do you not?"
Hans merely smiled.
"You have no idea on how much we are going to miss you, Rae," he commented, everyone seeming to agree as a whole. "You actually seemed to bring a certain…eccentricity around here."
"I tend to do that wherever I go," Raven replied, standing up, embracing him in a hug, "I'm going to miss you go, Hans. Thanks, for everything."
She released him, seeing he was watery-eyed.
"It was my pleasure, and I'd do it all over again."
"Hans, I promise to visit or contact you after I sort out my mess of a life," Raven assured, "I won't forget about you, or anyone else here. You're my friends, and what kind of friend would just abandon theirs?"
"I know you will," he accepted. "Well, I have no idea on how long it will be until the next time I see you, but…" Hans fished out a card from his pocket. "Here's the number to the gym. I don't plan on going anywhere."
Raven accepted the card, placing it in her pocket.
"I'll be sure to call you the first chance I get," Raven replied, quickly changing the subject in an attempt to lighten the mood around her, "In any case, Alexa told me she was moving back home to Gotham, is that true?"
"True as the word could be," Hans admitted, "she told me about it, how you made her realize that and whatnot, and asked if there was anything I could do, because that girl was born to be a fighter, and she isn't about to just quit now. I have an old friend in Gotham that will pick up on her training, conditioning, all that stuff. He's a good man, and he'll get her where she needs to go."
"I'm more than sure that he will, Hans, anyone associated with you is amongst good company," Raven complimented.
"Well, party-pooper," Alexa stepped forward, "it's about time we go, you still haven't gotten part two of my gift yet."
"Part two?"
"Yeah, part two," Alexa reiterated, "did you think the gloves were the only thing I'd send you off with?"
Raven didn't find anything to reply with, but merely motioned for her to lead the way.
"After you then," she smiled, then looking back towards Hans, as he and the others were cleaning up. "I guess this is goodbye, Hans."
"Goodbye it is, Raven," he replied, "good luck to you. I hope you find what it is you need, and just don't forget about an old man like me."
"How could I? Someone as old and decrepit as you will definitely be a memory forever etched into my mind." She joked, getting a laugh out of the old man.
The duo set out and found themselves back at the building that Alexa called home, as did Raven for the past several months. Yet, this time, they didn't go inside and to the elevator, but around back through the alley.
"Where are we going, Alexa?" Raven questioned, stepping over various debris, as well as puddles in the alley.
"The building's garage," she aptly informed, "you see, everyone that lives in this building, including me, has a little spot to call their own down here, most of the other tenants usually use theirs for storage. Not that I don't, but there's other things down here, including your gift."
"Why haven't you showed me this before, you know, I wouldn't be cluttering up your living room with my stuff if I had known about this," Raven reasoned.
"You never asked," Alexa smiled, going up the wide garage door that had it's share of dents in it, apparently failed break-in attempts. "Get the other side, the door's pretty heavy."
Raven ignored her humor, helping her lift the folding steel door, allowing it to travel up the rusted tracks with a racket of squeaking beyond no other. Alexa hit the light switch, revealing the interior. It was the absolute bottom level of the building, recessed into the ground. As Alexa had described, it did indeed serve as a storage area for the other tenants, most of it seeming to be cluttered, even names in slots above their respective areas.
"That's a lot of junk," Raven commented, looking around the dust covered objects that lined the walls.
"Luckily, I don't have as much junk, but junk it is," Alexa informed, "my space is back here, come on."
She obeyed, following Alexa towards one of the back corners, as the other was taken up by the heating and air conditioning unit for the building, piping running around above them, as well into the floor, to where the boiler was located underneath of the building itself. Alexa's storage space was amongst the best kept there, nothing spectacular, but not overflowing with useless knick-knacks of the residents. After stepping over what appeared to be broken glass from a fallen cup of someone else's amongst the mounds of objects, Raven saw a neatly organized corner, most of it being boxes of items marked like "old clothes", "photos", "papers", and so on. Yet, it wasn't the neatly stacked boxes that drew Raven's attention, but the duo of motorcycle helmets hanging upon the wall, jackets on hangers to match. She then turned to find two objects draped by canvas, their silhouette undeniable.
"I never mentioned it to you, Rae," Alexa began as she approached one of the draped shapes, "but I like to ride."
"Ride? As in motorcycles?" Raven deduced, as it appeared that was what she was about to show her.
"Again with the obvious," Alexa joked, "well, anywho, I figured I'd show you before you go, since, well, you don't know what a decent bike looks like."
"It's because I told you about that piece of crap I rode in on, isn't it?"
"Exactly," Alexa added, taking hold of the cloth, "feast your eyes on a masterpiece."
She quickly yanked the canvas free, revealing the bike beneath it. It looked like the many she had seen in America, nothing spectacular, but it had a nearly blinding finish of high gloss black with red accents and striping, not to mention the chrome that added to it.
"Wow, it's….nice," Raven managed, still taking it in, seeing all the polished details upon it. "If you had this, why didn't you ride it?"
"That question answers itself, Rae," she informed as she straddled the machine, sitting on it, "I can walk everywhere I need to go, no sense in taking it just down the street and back. Not to mention this neighborhood isn't exactly friendly."
"Point taken," Raven replied, kneeling down to see the engine in gleaming perfection, "I may not know anything about bikes, but I do know this one is something else."
"Eh, there's nothing to it," Alexa consoled in a sense, getting up, "take a gander at what's underneath the other."
Raven did so, gently pulling back the canvas to reveal a similar bike, a newer model, but one of blue and black.
"It's nice too, but why do you have two?"
"That bastard, Chad, the same guy you broke his nose, bought it for me when we were dating, I haven't even rode it yet, never will." Alexa informed.
"He didn't come for it?"
"Do you seriously think he has the balls to come and get it? I told him he's more than welcome to try. It's in my name and everything, paid for too, so he isn't getting it back."
"Then how are you going to get it back to Gotham when you move, you are taking it with you, aren't you?" Raven questioned, using logic.
Alexa merely looked up, a grin on her face.
"I'm not."
"So you're just leaving it here?" Raven asked, confused.
"No, you are taking it. I'm giving it to you, Rae." Alexa motioned towards it.
"Oh, no, no, no," Raven debated, "I can't accept this, Alexa. This is yours, and a rather nice vehicle at that, I can't just take it."
"Yes, you can," Alexa informed, "if you aren't going to take it, it's getting left here, and the first person to come along can have it. Raven, for once in your life, don't be so humble. It's a gift, from me to you, from a friend to another."
"Believe me, I'm more than grateful, but I just don't feel as if it's right," Raven informed. "If anything, I should be giving you something in return for all that you have shown and done for me."
"Raven, think about it," Alexa stated, standing up, "what I did for you was nothing compared to what you did for me."
"How so? You gave me a place to stay, helped me get me back on my feet, finally getting control of my life sense I started this insane trip." Raven deduced.
"Those are material things, and once more, nothing compared to what you did for me. You taught me control, focus, all of that through the meditation. Since I was able to clear my mind, I was able to get more done than I thought possible. How do you think I won the tournament, Rae? I would have lost early if it wasn't for you. Because of you, I can actually move back home now, be with the ones I love, and see about getting my life out of this rut that leads to nowhere. You see, Rae, if anything, I owe you, big time."
Raven was caught off guard, seeing how much she had actually done for her and never realized it, as she was only doing what she thought was right.
"Well…" Raven finally began, "I suppose it couldn't hurt, besides, I'd be saving you a lot of money if you tried to ship this thing as well. Costs by the pound, and this thing is rather heavy."
Alexa meekly huffed a laugh at Raven's antics.
"Right you are, maybe you should do my taxes too, you already did everything else for me."
"That will cost you," Raven joked, both of them getting a good laugh out of it.
Raven aptly caught a key as Alexa tossed it to her, also pointing to the helmet and jacket on the wall.
"When you leave out, take that with you, you gotta ride in style, Rae, remember that," Alexa informed, as if were an unwritten rule or something.
"Trust me, I will," Raven smiled, "I don't know about you, but I'm pretty tired. I'm going to get to bed early, have a big day before me tomorrow."
"I'll second that," Alexa agreed, patting Raven gently on the back, "besides, I have to help you pack."
Raven merely nodded, smiling, but it seemed to be the opposite of what she was feeling.
"I really don't want to leave, I made a great friend, met some wonderful people, and have a place to stay. Now, I'm about to go back out into the world, continue my quest in search of the True Master. She is the only one that will be able to help me in anyway, and help me become an effective member of the Titan order again. I am nothing now, but in time, that will all change. I hope it will anyways. After all that has happened to me thus far, that is all that I have left anymore is just that, hope."
"The Titans are in Gotham, Blood!" Chang exclaimed upon recently reading a newspaper article covering them being at the charity event. "I must leave at once. My research will be all for nothing if it is discovered!"
Blood merely stood there, listening the scientist rant.
"Calm down, Professor," Blood nonchalantly informed, "remember who you are speaking to."
"…Sorry, Brother Blood, I just fear that all I have worked for will be for nothing."
"It's understandable," Blood replied, "I assure you, your precious work will be transported to your new facilities, as well as you. I have known they were coming for quite some time. Johnson couldn't keep a secret, but he is enjoying what life he has left in a maximum-security prison now, so I consider it an even trade. In any case, the Titans will not transpose upon me, as my newly- refitted soldiers, as well as improved weaponry and technology, with your help of course, they don't stand a chance. I do as of a favor from you though, Professor."
"Oh, anything for you, Brother Blood, I am most grateful for you to provide me assistance, as well as a place to do my research, not to mention the security bonus as well."
"I thought you would be most…agreeing with me. I require that you leave half of your men here with me as a…security precaution. My soldiers have no experience with their new equipment in a live situation, so I may need some reassurance from them." Blood informed, pointing to one of Chang's many men, all bearing a white biohazard suit, complete with gas mask, some even with exotic weaponry. They were all much similar to his previous men, but the suit itself had been slimmed down considerably.
"Half! I don't have many left, Brother Blood, and if I depart, I will need all the protection I can possibly get against the Titans if you-"
"If I what, Professor Chang?" Blood interrupted, feeling as if he was being undermined. "If you think me or my men, as well as resources will fail in stopping the Titans, you are wrong…dead wrong."
"I don't mean to be offensive in anyway, I am merely speaking the obvious, Brother Blood," Chang assured, not wanting to upset Blood, as he would end his life in a heartbeat.
"I know, I am merely entertaining myself," Blood stated, smiling, "I assure you, Professor, your men will prove good against the Titans, and truly ensure your escape, I guarantee you. In the meantime, gather what things you need and be on your way, as I know they are well into the developmental stages of formulating a course of action against me and my school, so time is of the essence."
"I understand, half of my ranks are under your control then, Brother Blood." Chang succumbed, "now if you'll excuse me, I must be going, I must ensure that my project arrives safely."
Blood nodded, but didn't care of the dried-up man lived or died, as he needed complete concentration.
"The Titans are only hours away from planning their assault on my complex, I know it. My H.I.V.E. Soldiers, including a nasty, little surprise for them amongst the ranks, as well as a formidable number of Chang's personal guards, I am more than certain the Titans will meet their end. If not, well, it will be time to put my new…upgrades to a little test. School's in session, Titans, time to see if you have what it takes to make it to the head of the class. Even if you do by some miracle, nobody defies Brother Blood…nobody."
"Where is she?"
"Who?"
"The girl," Slade continued with his badgerment, after letting himself into the cabin, Heinrich attempting to protect his mother.
"What girl?" He replied, frightened, as any normal person would be under the circumstances, as Slade had literally ripped the door off the hinges.
"Don't play stupid with me," he growled, holding up the tattered outfit that once belonged to his apprentice, "Raven, she was here, now tell me, where is she?"
"Raven? Raven has been gone for a long time…well over 6 months," he informed, "please, don't hurt us, I beg you."
"Pleading for your lives? You disgust me, why would I soil my hands with your blood? You aren't the one I'm after. Raven is my target and nothing else. Tell me something useful before I change my mind," Slade ordered, beginning to advance towards them, causing both son and mother to whimper in fear of Slade and his supernatural powers he possessed, as his hand ignited into an inferno.
"Wait! Don't, please! All I know is she said something about traveling to Asia, that's all I know! I swear, please, don't hurt us." Heinrich begged, still protecting his mother, his only remaining family left in the world.
"I see," Slade presumed, letting the fireball go out in his hand, "what direction did she leave here?"
"North, to where, I don't know," Heinrich attempted in a calm voice. "She spoke of getting some kind of transportation, I don't know if she did or not."
"Very well then," Slade finally finished, turning about, beginning to walk out, "you've been…most helpful. I'll be sure to send Raven's regards…before I kill her."
Slade didn't hear a reply, as if he spoke out in anyway to protect Raven, he would have added two more to his ever-growing body count in the most brutal way he could imagine.
"Though it may have been long ago," Slade thought, walking north through the forest, not even considering a path, as he didn't need an easy way with his abilities, "but revenge is everlasting. Raven will die, she will fall by my hand, I vow it. Trigon will get his wish; I'll get my revenge, and a bonus, my life once more. Seems as if this is a never ending cycle, but who am I to complain? I will be able to continue my operations when I am of flesh and blood once more. Anything is better than that eternal plane of suffering that I've visited not once, but twice, and I will not thrice. Raven was the only adversary ever powerful enough to actually defeat me in combat, as Terra's doing was by a technicality, as well as my own mistakes. Wherever she is, she will feel my being hunting her down. Time is no matter, as I have all of eternity to search for her, while her years are numbered. The sooner I find her, the better. It will be rather difficult to rinse her blood from my hands, quite literally."