Yay! Raven woke up! Poor Titans, I keep knocking members of their team out for extended periods of time.
Haha, smartical words.
Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter 14

"Divided We . . . Fail"

Raven could hardly see as the blur shifted in and out, further confusing her. She suspected her friends had all gotten similar awakenings, except hers had the full audience.

"Oh, friend, we were very worried about your state of being!" Starfire cried joyously. Raven found she was being awfully loud in enemy territory, and began wondering what had happened. Raven sluggishly (which was hard for her, because she never did anything so poor as to do it 'sluggishly') rolled her eyes back to Beast Boy's green haze, watching as it slowly turned human and then into whatever Beast Boy was (Me: Haha, even tired she's mean).

Starfire made a grab for Raven, but Robin's hand shot out, blocking her from Raven. Starfire (for the moment Raven saw her clearly) did not appear to understand why. "I don't think she's up for a hug, Star." He said quickly, so as not to insult his girlfriend.

Starfire blinked a few times before nodding and allowing her head to rest on his shoulder in worry and as a sign of forgiveness.

"Hey, Raven, you okay?" Cyborg's lower voice questioned. "How many fingers am I holding up?"

Raven eyed his silver hand, blinking until it became somewhat clear. ". . . Four?" She could hardly tell if it was four, two, six or eight.

"Hm, two, but . . . well, does your head hurt?" She silently berated herself for being wrong and worrying them further. It was just a little vertigo, right? No need to be alarmed.

". . . No." She mumbled, getting more irritated she could not speak clearly.

Cyborg had a lighter tone now, he was relieved. "Can you sit up?"

". . . Maybe-," She began.

"I can help."

Raven nodded, giving Beast Boy permission to help from her up. Cyborg said nothing, simply waiting to see if the whip-lash kicked in. Thankfully, it didn't, and Raven felt the blood rushing back to her head. She sighed, feeling a small weight lifted off her and losing its pounds fast.

"You okay?" Beast Boy asked, letting her sit against the wall rather then against him. Although she did realize she'd formerly been on the floor with his hands around her, propping her up to shake her.

"Fine, really." She coughed out, a bit wary. She rubbed her arm, getting the blood pumping further. "Did all of you have such a friendly wake-up process?"

"Naturally," He replied, grinning. Raven couldn't help but let out a small smirk of her own before letting it wipe away as a shot of pain went down her spine. She stretched a little, Cyborg helping her to her feet.

Raven then noticed where they were. "What happened?"

Robin looked suddenly sulky, which was probably more so why Starfire had leaned against him then before. "We've been captured. We're prisoners."

"But weren't Jinx and-?"

"Turn around," Beast Boy said quietly, pointing into the darker part of the cell. Raven did, and gasped.

There they were, Jinx and Kid Flash, next to two other peoples cells. The two people had there backs to the Titans, and therefor there faces were unseen, but Jinx's neon pink hair and Kid Flash's bright yellow uniform were hard to miss, even in the dim light. All four people, including the two strangers that is, were on their sides, asleep, it seemed, on the ground. The strangers seemed a bit more 'dead' you would say, then their friends. At least they were in sleeping positions where as the other two looked as if they'd been tossed to the ground to land wherever, like puppets or unwanted, broken, or old toys.

"Oh," She said simply, unable to come up with a better word.

"They're alive," Cyborg interrupted Robin, who closed his mouth angrily. "There's a heartbeat and a steady pulsing system. They might even be a little aware, but not by much. More likely is they are sleeping."

"That's pretty heavy sleeping," She commented, curling her fingers around the bars that kept them imprisoned. "How odd."

Beast Boy stepped forward, "Raven?"

"I thought she was . . . helping us." Raven said, very quietly, her head slumping down. "But she was . . . causing all of this . . ."

"Rae, are you alright?" Beast Boy repeated, venturing forward again.

". . ."

"Come on, Rae!" Beast Boy shrugged slightly, grinning weakly. "We always knew it was a possibility-." He broke off, trying again somewhere else. "It's nothing we can't fix. We've had worse things done, right?"

"But . . ." She shook it off, pointing to Kid Flash and Jinx, along with the other strangers. "We're not the only ones in trouble this time. We've got friends at stake."

"Because we didn't last time?" Cyborg rebutted, snorting. Beast Boy shot him a warning look as Raven's hands gripped the bars again, holding on tighter this time. "What I mean is Rae, someones always in danger. But its our job to save them from it."

"And it's not the first time we've brought a Super-Villan," He paused, noticing Raven cringe as her daughter had already made it into the 'Ultimate Bad Guy' territory. He continued, nonetheless, "somewhere we don't want them, like near our friends or into our city. Slade, you remember, only came around in the first place because he was interested in me. Remember?"

"And friend," Starfire interjected. "My planet, myself, and our team was almost destroyed because of my sister. Had it not been for you all, many would be enslaved from her by now, I would think."

"And Brother Blood, Raven, if you remember," it was Cyborg's turn, "Only tried to destroy our city because he wanted revenge on me. And the only reason he was able to was my fault, too, on account of him stealing my blue-prints and all."

"But-!"

"Raven," Beast Boy was speaking so quiet she turned and looked at him, shocked at the hidden emotions in his voice. "I know . . . " He squeezed his eyes shut, almost unwilling to say what he wanted to apparently. But he took a deep breath and watched her eyes again, as he had done when she was healing him. Except now, in a sense, he was healing her. "I know that . . . . you've been so used to . . . being the one expected to destroy everything, you're whole life. Knowing Trigon was going to use you to destroy the world. And when y-you got rid of him, you felt like that would never happen again . . . And this is just, kinda, bringing up bad memories and things you thought you put behind you."

Raven was stunned by his words. In truth, she'd been so used to thinking 'it's my fault' she'd forgotten why she felt that way. And not to mention Beast Boy, of all people, was the one explaining it too her. Explaining her emotions, which no one should ever know about.

So it was pretty obvious why she wanted off the subject. Now. "Beast Boy, I don't-!"

"Raven," Beast Boy placed his hands on her shoulder, lightly, but firmly. It was clear she was not to speak because whatever he wanted to say was very hard for him to say. Even Raven knew that was serious. And, evidently, his voice somehow got even quieter. More pitiful. "I know what it's like to put your friends in danger too." Raven instantly remembered the green beast she'd seen only once, last year. The other times, she'd been 'asleep'. "And, I know it's hard, but you've got to use that to your advantage." He released her, that annoying confident smirk back on his face. But for some reason Raven felt . . . happy that it was there. "So you gotta suck it up, okay?"

Raven's eyes, for once, did not narrow. They simply stared at him, and never did his expression waver. "O- . . . Okay."

He looked surprised, but his grin widened. She noticed his hand move, pulling her towards their friends.

"Because, Raven," he said, letting go one they were all in a circle. "We're always here to help each other, right?" He looked towards his friends for help, still smiling.

Cyborg nodded, placing his hand in the center, letting it hover in the air. "Right."

"Right," Starfire agreed, placing her hand on Cyborg's.

Robin placed his hand over hers, "Absolutely."

"We all promise," Beast Boy said, touching his hand in the middle. She was surprised to see his other hand held out to her. Raven realized then, what it really meant. In so many movies and things, people held out their hands to each other for help up, or to shake in a formal greeting. But now, it was so much more then that. The offering in the first place was a silent 'do you trust me?'. She glanced at his hand again, unwillingly.

She placed her hand in his, watching his eyes carefully. 'I trust you, Beast Boy,' she thought. 'I just don't know why yet.'

"I promise too, then." She said quietly, as Beast Boy's grin widened. He placed her hand gently on top of his.

"And on our honor," Robin said, speaking as team leader, although really it felt like Beast Boy had run this thing for the moment. "As Teen Titans, we swear, that we will protect our city and the people inside it." He put his other hand on the top.

"Our home," Cyborg added. He copied Robin, putting his other metal hand on the pile.

"Our world, and any other worlds," Starfire continued, doing the same.

"Our friends, and the people we care about," Beast Boy said, seeming almost ready to burst with joy. Everyone but Raven noticed he glanced at her when he made this promise. He also put his other hand in.

They looked at Raven expectantly, and she was looking at her hand. Then, very slowly, she placed it on top and finished their new-found oath they were making. "And to fix any problems we or anyone else have messed up."

They all looked at each other, sudden excitement and joy rising in them. And, however illogical it was, Raven couldn't help but smile a little.

"It's a promise," Beast Boy finished.

Robin finalized it. "Titans, break!"

It felt like a silly graduation, where everyone threw up their hats, too excited for all of them to remain on the ground. Except they were throwing up their hands rather then their hats. But they all made some type of excited noise, even Raven, who couldn't help but laugh a little. Beast Boy, being the only one to have heard, shot a grin her way, but their excitement was dampened as someone began clapping.

Needless to say it was not of them.

"A beautiful speech, shape-shifter. Truly moving." The clapper laughed, mocking them. Raven flinched, and the clapping stopped. "What is it, little witch? Have I ruined the mood?"

Before Beast Boy could start his defense for Raven and the use of the word 'witch', Ella moved off to the other cell, containing the strangers. She grinned smugly at them. "And I see these ones haven't even woken up yet. Hey!" She shouted, trying to get them up. There was no response, they didn't even move. They were completely still.

It wasn't until she had opened the cage and was within feet of them that they realized they were too still.

Ella shrieked as her hand ran through a hologram. She stepped back to touch both strangers before running out of the cage and slamming it shut, racing to a red button that had 'Emergency Use Only' in white print on it. They shared a shocked look with each other. Escape right under these peoples noses. Security here was horrible.

She slammed her hand down on the button, causing it to crack in a few places, but a microphone popped out. She screamed again. It was broken, dismantled, and had, Cyborg could tell just by looking, vital pieces missing from it. It would never work again.

"Son of a-!" She stopped, mid scream, and took a deep breath to calm herself. "I'm alright, everything's fine, we'll find them . . ." She said to herself. Then her eyes narrowed, looking at the Titans. "I'll be back to separate you all in a moment. Until then," She smiled sweetly, her rude attire returning. "Sit tight for me, kay?"

With that she left, all sarcasm gone as a determined and furious look appeared on her face. They heard her muttering curse words under her breath, non-stop. The door closed behind her.

"Alright Titans, we need to find a way out before she comes back-." Robin began.

"Ssh!"

They jumped. As far as they knew, no one was there.

Then, everyone had a some sort of band over their mouth, dark shadows from behind them hiding in the shadows.

"Don't talk like that around her," One breathed, so quietly you couldn't hear the voice.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine."

"Just shut up!" The first said again, and then the bands and people were gone.

They all stared at one another.

"Uh-," Beast Boy began. He stopped when the door was flung open, revealing an obviously irritated Ella as she reentered the room, mumbling something about the worthless hacks guards were and how they should all just be fired.

"Sorry for the inconveniences," She said once finally turning to them. "Please follow me, if you would."

They all looked down as their wrists gained weight, shackles now upon them that connected to one another in heavy chains. Starfire's eyes turned green and began using her powers when a harsh shock ran through her, making her stop. She whimpered, and Ella seemed all the more bored and irritated with that.

"You really think I'd give you just any old handcuffs?" She demanded, as if insulted. "Honestly, the idiocy that would require . . ." She trailed off, and with a hard jerk the Titans were forced forward as the chain on their cuffs led up to one in her hand.

With a last glance at them, she led them forward, not bothering to be gentle at all. If they fell, they fell. Too bad.

"What are you going to do with us?" Robin demanded, and Ella didn't even bother to turn around.

"Whatever my Master asks of me," She replied promptly.

As they walked, Robin scanned the area, remembering every turn they took and every step they made, figuring if they somehow got out at least they might even know where they were going.

They passed many guards, and even more cameras that would monitor every nook and cranny without a single blind spot. This would obviously not be the best place to escape from.

"Robin," Ella said, after a while of walking. They found themselves suddenly in a deserted area, dark and secluded. It was disturbing how he hadn't noticed the lack of people. His head snapped up, she pointed to a bolted wall. "This shall be your cell."

Robin hardly had even opened his mouth before he found himself already in the room, alone, and hearing Starfire shouting in the distance after him to ask if he was okay. What had happened?

Beast Boy was with Starfire and Raven last when he found soon he was being led into a cell, growling every time Ella got too close to either of the two girls. Robin wouldn't appreciate it if Starfire got hurt when someone could have done something about it. And Raven . . . well, he wasn't quite sure why, it was just automatic.

"In you go, little shape-shifter." Ella's voice said sweetly as the door shut gently behind him. He felt oddly sleepy, but as soon as the door shut, his head was clear of all confusion and an odd weight, but more comforting like feathers, snapped away from him. Then he got his mouth and arms back, finding the handcuffs removed, and began screaming after Starfire and Raven, slamming his body all around him in a vain attempt to escape and be free of his captivity. He couldn't help it.

After all, he was half-animal. He couldn't see the sky or his 'clan'.

Raven felt herself tumble into the room, groaning loudly as her bruised side (that she didn't know about) touched the pavement. She slowly got up, her hands pressed hard against the floor as it supported most of her weight. To her surprise, a low whimper emanated from her mouth, and she stopped abruptly. She wasn't in pain . . . and Raven had never whimpered to anything in her-! Then, as if by real force, Raven felt the silent blow that hurt her more than anything.

Because, for one truly horrible moment, she realized she was completely and utterly helpless, to do nothing but stare at the wall and wait until Ella, or someone else, came back for her.

She was all alone.

Beast Boy panted heavily as his body was immobilized, sitting on the ground with his body held his wrists willingly up (although his mind was totally objective to it) and the annoying shackles and chains were applied to them.

The girl's eyes flicked up at him, seeming to study him. Outside of the room, Ella waited, only being their to restrain Beast Boy if needed and to make him comply for now. His ankles were thankfully not restrained as well, but the handcuffs were attached separately on either side of him, only allowing him a few feet away from the wall if he pushed it.

"You are comfortable?" Her voice was just as sweet as her appearance, but in a more serious demeanor then Ella's sickly cruel one. She wanted something, apparently. Beast Boy sensed it quickly.

"As comfortable as I'll get," He muttered, loud enough for Ella to hear. But his eyes remained trained on this girl.

She took the shackle and found the chain that would hook it to the wall, pulling it from around her waist. Then, her eyes darted to the door and she smiled, standing up straight and yet still heading towards the wall. "She can't hear us anymore."

"What do you-?" He began demanding.

She stopped, looking at him in all seriousness. "We don't have much time. Be quiet and listen." He shut his mouth and she continued restraining him as Ella had ordered, flicking a piece of red hair behind her shoulders. "My apologies we cannot meet true face to true face," She made a gesture to her demeanor, "This is a well-constructed mask, if you must know. It's necessary. Nonetheless," She hooked the chain to the wall before pulling out the other one and attaching it to his wrist. "You are in grave danger. You must not injure yourself further, nor make any more havoc and you must wait. You'll need you'll full strength. And we shall be assisting you."

"Whose-?"

She ignored him, continuing as if he'd said nothing but more quickly this time. "And do not worry, you will see your mate again soon."

"Mate?" He demanded.

Her eyes flicked up and she smiled again, pausing in her work. "Ah, yes. You still refer to things in human terms, my apologies. You're special one."

And with that the red-headed child hooked him to the wall, and Ella, having remained quiet and oblivious the whole time, turned and looked at the girl, surprised. "All done?"

"Yes, Madame." The girl curtsied. And Beast Boy would have sworn to anyone he saw, when Ella turned her back to shut the door and the girl watched him seriously still, her body vibrated in a 'bad TV reception' manner and he saw blonde hair and pale skin before it flicked back, and he was unable to see anything else.

As the door shut, he sighed. He didn't have a choice but to follow instructions, and the girl had obviously known that. But, he could also not help but to smile just a bit.

He'd be seeing Raven soon, apparently, after all. He couldn't stand seclusion. He was human, sort of human, at least.

He sighed at his joke, since no one was around to make fun of its stupidity.

Ending it! Next chapter is shocking!