Thanks to Gingerstorm101, ravenkakashiluv26, Random hero77, The Amethyst Eyes and sinomin!
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I (QLF) Really apologise for the lateness. I was soooo busy, and still am. AND the internet isn't working at my house...and SRF cannot update. You see our dilemma?
Lol.
On with the story.
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Chapter 17
"Wake up, Raven." The girl groaned, as Slade shook her awake. It took ten minutes for her and him to prepare, and re-reach the portal.
A map of planets was there. She selected Earth. The portal whirred, and then turned on, a whirlwind of colours showing. "Slade, I know we're going to Earth, but there are no proper specifics. It doesn't say Jump City anywhere. It just says Gotham and Blüdhaven. All the rest aren't in America, or aren't there at all."
Being the best tactician, Slade knew he'd be the one to decide their destination. Gotham seemed ideal, he knew the area. But then he'd have to arrange how to leave, and he was sure the Batman would not let him go if spotted. He wouldn't mind a fight, but with Raven there as well, trouble would ensue. He could be caught.
Blüdhaven? He'd been there recently, making sure people knew who he was, and not to mess with him. The city had a corrupt police force, who could be bribed easily. People would be mugged every day, and would never be alone outside. It was the secondary Gotham of the universe, somewhat unspoken of however, and with no heroes to rally up the villains.
"Select Blüdhaven. Let's go." A blurred image of the city appeared, and he took the sack and slung it over his shoulder, while Raven just stared.
Joining hands, and entwining fingers, they walked through together. They appeared in a rundown street, at night. Cracked pavement tripped Raven, and losing her balance for a second, she truly felt silly. However Slade seemed unfazed, eyes transfixed on the coal black buildings around him and the smoky sky over his head.
Their hands quickly retreated back to their own bodies, away from each others clasp, they began to fully look around the area they had landed in.
"Where...where are we?" She regretted asking, as it was a stupid question. They were in Blüdhaven. But, seeing the Earth's night sky was a huge relief for her. However, seeing the fractured roads, littered with garbage, ahead of them, was not.
"Where do you think?" he responded, sarcastically. "Now, let's go. I'm going to get us some money."
Slade began to forcibly drag Raven, who was slightly out of it. "Wait! Get money? Are you going to steal? Trust me, I promise I'll stop you if you dare." A slight glare made its way out into the open, formed by Raven.
Slade brushed it off, sighing. No time for arguing. He was going to lose it. "Do you have a way to get us a hotel room then?" he hissed.
Raven sighed. She placed her hand on his broad shoulder, and her shadow raven flew all the way to a building that had a bright motel sign.
She was relieved to be back to Earth's gravity, as the load was light. The black raven flew into an empty motel room, and dropped her and Slade out.
"We'll stay here. I searched the motel with my mind; this room is the biggest, and the emptiest. Complain, Slade, and I'll shove you outside."
He chuckled, amused by the threat. "You can try." She sent a scowl his way, and his eye narrowed. "Hungry?" Raven nodded. It had been a while.
"Good. And if you're so worried about stealing money, then I'll pay. I do have much money to spare."
Raven nodded. This was a good arrangement, and the rogue had nothing to lose. He was rich. "I'll pay you back."
He shook his head. "No need."
The room was simple, with faded yellow walls, and a warm yellow light on the ceiling. The carpet was a dark blue, with dirt in places. A double bed was in the centre, with a rusty wardrobe on the right wall next to the bed. On the opposite side, was a door, leading to an en-suite. Next to that door, a netted exit led to a balcony.
"What about your mask? Won't someone recognise you? And do you know where to go?"
"I know a place we can eat. And rest assured, no trouble will come. Firstly, they'll be too scared to do anything and the city's police and justice system is fraudulent. If anything, they'll think it's a good thing I'm there."
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and walked over to him. "I'll take us down onto the streets, and then you can lead us there."
Raven watched as he dumped the haversack onto the bed, promising it'd be safe, and then took them down, phasing through the floor.
A cold, biting wind blew over them, with a calming and cool effect. The night sky was still full of life.
She was entranced with the city, as he dragged her into a decent looking cafe.
They were the only customers, other than another shady looking couple. It was because of the hour of night.
The cafe reminded Raven of the one in Jump. It was old, and dim. The smell of food could easily be detected, and the furniture obviously aged. Tables were caked in tea and sugar, forming layers other the years, and the waitress looked happy; yet completely and utterly uninterested in anything and everything that was occurring.
They sat at the corner table, with them both receiving strange looks, most likely because of the villain, and Raven's strange appearance.
A scrawny and old server limped to their table. "What'll you have, dearies?" Her toothless grin caused Raven to look impatiently at Slade, begging him to get on with ordering so that the woman could disappear.
Slade spoke first. "I'll have nothing, thank you." He wasn't going to take his mask off to eat. It was no food, or his identity revealed. He'd rather the former.
"Herbal tea please, and a buttered crumpet." The old lady sauntered off, to get them their orders.
Having a meal with Slade there made Raven feel... weird. It wasn't bad, but not great either.
Within a matter of minutes, Raven got her order. She nibbled on the crumpet, and smiled. Real food... She then sipped the herbal tea, that wasn't as good as the towers', but still tasted flavourful.
"Such manners, Raven. What about your little team? The alien, changeling and Cyborg eat like animals, am I correct?" The man scoffed.
She laughed at the memory of them, nodding to Slade. "How'd you first come here, Slade?"
"I was on a little mission, and came here to meet my client. Decent food, decent enough place, to put it simply."
As Raven finished her small meal, Slade paid the woman with a credit card, typing the pin quickly.
As soon as he'd finished, she transported them both back into their room. The sack was where they left it, but it was later moved to the corner of the room.
Raven stifled a yawn, and Slade did too. "Rest, Raven. It's late. Young women need their sleep." He climbed onto the bed, turning off the light.
"I know. I'm just going to go outside for some air, you know?" She went onto the balcony, as the wind blew softly. It was good to be back on Earth, and better to know she'd be back to the Titans soon. She leant her arms on the railings.
The sound of city nightlife made her sleepy, lulling her. After an hour of watching, her eyes slid closed, and she was fast asleep.
Slade, meanwhile, was inside, wondering what happened to her. Dragging himself out of the cushioned bed, he opened the balcony door slightly. The gap was large enough to see the sleeping girl, and Slade couldn't resist smirking.
He sighed, tutting. He picked her up, strong arms under her knees and back. He noticed she looked peaceful, serene.
Laying her down on one side of the bed, he slid the cover over her shivering body. Brushing Raven's hair out of her face gently. He sat down, on the other side of the bed, and shutting his eyes, absorbed his surroundings. It was good to be back...and he knew, things were about to get...very interesting.
There yah go!
Hope you enjoyed.
Review guys? We're almost at a hundred!
The story is...almost over! *tear*