Raven groaned in pain. It was now morning, and she was resting in the uncomfortable bed. Her body was stiff and stuck to the bed. She looked down and noticed her thin bandage wrap which encased her small torso. There were two cotton balls taped to her face to stop the bleeding of the gash that was left on her face. The rest of the scratches were beginning to scab over, but it was still fresh and painful. Raven looked around the room. She had nothing better to do. Her only source of entertainment was to count the numerous times the water droplets fell from the ceiling and hit the floor.

Not only did she feel pain, she felt dirty. The pajamas she wore to sleep in her own bed was now covered with dirt and blood. Her breath had a harsh odor to it, blood was caked on parts of her body, and her hair was knotted from a lack of care. Raven's stomach growled loudly. She sighed and closed her eyes to ignore the discomfort. She was lucky to be fed, but it wasn't enough. She was given breakfast and dinner; however, the portions of the meals were not adequate. It wasn't enough to keep her full until the next meal.

The sound of the water dripping was starting to annoy her. She wished she could place something underneath it to mute the noise, but it was futile. There was nothing in the cell, and her body stung with almost every move she made.

A small sound came from the direction of the door. Raven quickly looked at it. She didn't fear, for she thought it was Wintergreen bringing her breakfast. When the door opened to see the colored mask of Slade, her stomach dropped. Again, she showed no fear and remained calm. She ignored eye contact with him and continued lying in the cot, staring at the ceiling, for that was in fact, the only thing she could do.

Slade casually walked to Raven then sat the foot of the cot. Inside her mind, Raven was freaking out.

Silence between them was evident for a good minute. It made Raven very uneasy. Anxiety was getting the best of her. "Why is he just sitting there?" It appears that he was thinking...but what?

"Get up."

Raven twitched slightly at the harsh tone, but she ignored him.

Slade repeated his command again but even harsher. "Get up."

Raven rolled her eyes and replied with an attitude. "I can't!"

Slade was taken back a bit by her tone. Surely he thought she would be more cautious, but it was to be expected from her. .

Slade turned his torso to Raven's direction. She tensed when she felt two strong hands grab her arms. She felt her body sit upright, but she was greeted with a sharp pain in her chest. She gave a painful wail at the action. Slade noticed this and slowly brought her back down. His large hands were still around her thin arms. He looked at her face and saw her grimace in pain. Did he feel bad for giving her this pain? Somewhat, but was it for a good reason? Yes. He must show her the weakness she posses. Without her powers, she is nothing.

The pain finally faded off her body after having her back against the cot for a minute. She was confused as to what Slade was trying to do to her.

"One."

Raven looked up at Slade who simply glanced back. She had a puzzled look when he started to count. "What is he doing?"

"Two."

Slade looked at Raven. He could tell that she had no idea what he was going to do, but he wanted her to figure it out herself.

"Three."

Slade raised Raven's torso once more into a sitting position in front of him once again. Raven's face showed pain again, but this time he didn't place her down; he kept her in an upright sitting position. Eventually, her face relaxed, indicating that the pain was fading away. Her forehead had small beams of sweat after enduring such discomfort. Raven looked up at his face again. She was still angry at his actions and couldn't stand to see him, but for some reason, she didn't want to be angry. His stare on her was still strong, but she could see it slightly soften. Raven quickly broke the eye contact when she realized she was staring. She looked down and saw Slade reach into his heavy belt and take out a key.

After being unlocked, her handcuffs fell onto the floor. Raven felt so relieved to have the heavy metal restraints off her wrists. She rubbed them with care and inspected them for bruises.

"Heal yourself. You have two hours until I put them back on." Slade said. His eye didn't leave hers for one moment. Raven could see the severity coming back, which made her uncomfortable. She didn't give a reply to the man, but she made sure that it was out of anger. She didn't want to show him that she feared him because she didn't.

The door opened again, and a Slade bot walked in. Panic rose in her. "Why is that here?"

Slade smirked at her feared expression when she saw his robot. "Just to make sure you don't check out of your lovely stay early, my robot will be watching you in case you try to escape, and if I were you, I wouldn't try it. Also…"

Slade reached into his belt again and brought out what seemed to be a headband. He advanced toward Raven with the object, but she pulled pack.

"What is that?" She asked.

Slade continued to walk towards her. "It's a cancellation for the powers through your mind." He placed the elastic band around her head.

Raven began to scratch at it as if she was a child. It seemed to have strapped to her head, making it difficult to pull off.

"Just to prevent you from communicating with your teammates." Slade said smugly.

Raven rolled her eyes and looked at him. He does know much about her.

Slade turned and walked towards the door. The slade bot stood tall in the corner, directly staring at Raven. She felt small goosebumps form around her arms at the sight of it.

"Remember, two hours. Make good use of your time, because you're going to need perfect health for today."

Before Raven could ask about his plans, the door slammed shut.

Out of anger, Nightwing threw the piles of paper on the floor. "It's been three days, and we still have no trace of her!"

"Nightwing, please. Do not get angry. You must stay calm." Starfire started picking up the many piles of papers.

Changeling was sitting in the chair, looking at the large computer screen in front of his face "Dude, we're going to find her. We already know who took her. We just gotta' track him down."

"It's easier said than done, Changeling." Cyborg was sitting at the kitchen counter. He also was very worried about the absence of Raven. Slade captured her under his watch. "It's all my fault." Cyborg rubbed his bald head and continued to look down at the yellow counter.

"Cyborg?"

Cyborg looked up when he felt Starfire gently touch his back. Nightwing and Changeling were starting to argue again in the back, making a lot of noise. He gave a small smile to ease her nerves. He loved Starfire for her cheerful personality. When things are bleak, her smile keeps them afloat.

"Are you alright?"

Cyborg thought hard on whether to tell her about how he was feeling or not. He didn't want to worry her with his depressing thoughts, but he also didn't want to boggle his feelings inside. He silently shook his head as an answer.

"Do not fret, Cyborg. We will find Raven. She is strong. Very strong." Starfire sat in the chair next to him, so that they were now at eye level.

Starfire looked at his face and a small frown grew on her's. She could see that he had already given up. His eyes were dim. He was tired and evidently troubled. Starfire held back a tear. She hated when her friends were fought. It didn't help anything; it only made things worse.

Starfire gave Cyborg a tight hug. Her tears were now running down her face like a waterfall; she couldn't hold them in any longer. She fought to keep the environment optimistic, but it wasn't working. She felt defeated herself.

"Cyborg, I want our friend back, but we must not give up."

Cyborg nodded his head and weakly smiled. "You're right Star. Raven can handle everything."

Everyone's attention was caught when they heard Changeling's voice.

"I found something!"

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Nightwing was following Cyborg and Changeling in the dark cave. It was night, so the cave was filled with darkness. The only source of light was Cyborg's two shoulder flashlights and Starfire's green starbolts. The team walked deeper into the cave, looking for any sign of life. They have been walking for 10 minutes. It was silent, for no one said a word. Not even the creatures of the cave were making a sound.

The titans were close to retreating when they saw a small source of light coming at the end of the tunnel. Changeling was the first to notice it with his feline eyes.

"Guys! There's light. It might be an extra room or something."

The team charged toward the light. It was far, but they quickly reached it. Two fire torches were the source of light as they sat in front of large wooden doors.

Changeling gave an impressed whistle. "Fan-cy."

Nightwing pushed the heavy doors opened, revealing a dimly lit area of the cave. It was a big space that had an orange colored glow on the side of the walls, giving the room a colorful tint. There were also high beams that connected the ground to the ceiling of the cave.

"It's about time you showed up. I thought you got lost on the way here."

The titans prepared for battle when they heard Slade, and their anger was very evident. They wanted their friend back and were not in the mood to play one of Slade's many games.

"What do you want with Raven?"

Slade was standing behind one of the beams in the ceiling. He walked from behind it, and jumped down in front of them. He was smirking underneath his mask at the sight of their faces. He loved messing with the young adults.

"That is something for me to know, and you to find out."

"We are not playing your games, Slade! Give us our friend!" Starfire threw a large starbolt at him. She could no longer contain her fury at the evil man in front of her. She was tired of fighting him and facing her dysfunctional team without Raven.

"Is Raven not the odd one out in the tower? Why is her absence such a bother to you all?" Slade was now out of harm's way. He was standing straight with his arms behind his back like a soldier.

"Raven may be quiet, but she's still our friend!" Changeling transformed into a bear and advanced at Slade. He swung his claws back and forth at the man to hopefully strike him, but Slade was too fast. Slade rammed himself against the bear, causing Changeling to fall back. He transformed into a hummingbird then a woodpecker. He started chipping at Slade as if he was wood. Slade stumbled around swatting at the bird. He grunted in annoyance and pain when he started to pick at his skin, drawing slight blood.

Cyborg noticed Slade's distraction and shot his cannon. The cannon made a direct hit with Slade. He flew back then onto the ground with pain. A hard thump was heard in the area. Slade winced in pain under his mask. He sprung to his feet when three starbolts made their way at him. He ran past them with incredible speed. Starfire was in the air throwing her barrage of bolts and eye beams.

"You will pay for taking away our friend!" Starfire said as she continued her attacks.

Slade reached into his belt and threw a small ball at Starfire. Starfire again did not notice the small gadget. The ball transformed into a large net that trapped her. She fell to the ground with a thud.

Nightwing and Cyborg were double attacking Slade. He stumbled a bit at the fast movement of the two men, but he catched up. Slade gave Nightwing a hard roundhouse kick to the cheek, causing Nightwing to fall to the ground, but that didn't stop Cyborg. He continued punching at Slade. Some punches made contact to him while some hit the air.

"Where is she?"

Slade and Cyborg were both locked in hands, trying to push the other down with their strength. Slade started to falter at Cyborg's immense strength. He saw the hatred in his eyes. Slade ignored his question and brought Cyborg down with a quick swift. Cyborg went down in surprise. Slade's heavy boot was on top of his chest. Cyborg gave him a strong glare.

"Your friend is fine." Slade spat. He was getting annoyed by the nuisance of the sorcerer's team.

Cyborg took hold of Slade's foot and pushed it off his chest. Slade fell backwards with a small thud. Cyborg looked down and started to wipe the dust imprint of Slade's boot off his metallic chest.

"Man, we ain't playin no games! Give us back Raven and we'll leave you alone."

Slade got to his feet and wiped the dust off his arm. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Haven't you learned anything? You can't turn us into your apprentices, and out of all people, Raven?" Cyborg gave a laugh. "Good luck convincing her."

Slade felt challenged by Cyborg's remarks. He loved something that would make him work harder. He couldn't deny the fact that Cyborg was indeed right. Raven is a hard shell with many barriers. Cracking those walls will be difficult, but that's nothing he can't do. Although Raven's strong, she can be very weak. He just has to find those weaknesses and use them to his advantage.

"Challenge accepted." Slade was smirking underneath his mask, and Cyborg could tell that he was. He inwardly kicked himself for giving Slade the idea.

Nightwing looked up and noticed Slade and Cyborg talking. He didn't understand what was going on, but he was going to take this opportunity. Nightwing silently advanced towards Slade, who had his back turned. The grip of his silver staff was tight when he came closer. Slade was about to turn until Nightwing came closer and made his strike.

Slade yelled loudly in pain when the metal rod connected with his head. He fell straight to the ground, grabbing his head. His vision was getting blurry and the voices muffled. He saw Nightwing and Cyborg looking down on him, about to take him. Slade eagerly scooted himself back to stay away from their grip. Things were starting to slow down, and the world around him was getting darker. He had to get out before they catched him.

Slade looked around his surroundings for a visible exit, but there was none, since they were in a dark cave. He remembered the safety exit that was in the back. He didn't have much time until all four members grouped to get him. Slade brought out a smoke bomb and threw it against the floor causing a large cloud to appear. The sound of Nightwing's command to his team was heard by Slade, but he had to escape their presence. The clouds were thick, so it was easy to elude the titan's vision, but his head was throbbing and the smoke was not helping.

He stumbled to the back of the large room and found the exit. He struggled before opening the door and finding his way out of the scene.

"Damn it! We were so close!" Changeling was sitting at the table with his fellow teammates. The absence of Raven was known at the table. The seat she would usually sit in was empty.

"Cyborg, what were you and Slade talking about?"

Cyborg looked up from the yellow counter then at Nightwing. "He was basically telling me how he's going to try to make Raven an apprentice. You know, the usual."

"Geez, doesn't the guy get bored of the same stuff? That's his only motive." Changeling said with annoyance.

"Maybe he is the lonely." Starfire quietly said. She was stroking a sleeping Silkie in her lap.

The men at the table looked at her. Changeling laughed.

"I would get lonely too if I lived in abandoned warehouses too.'' Changeling joked. Nightwing and Cyborg also gave a small and hearty chuckle which was needed.

"Now that we know his plan, we have to take him down. Knowing Slade, he's going to force Raven against us, probably threaten her with our well being." Nightwing elaborated.

Everyone nodded their heads. "We have to be vigilant to make sure that doesn't happen." Cyborg said. "He's going to show up again. I know he will, but in the meantime. We have to think of a way to take him down."

"Agreed. Raven will be brought back to us." Starfire said with a grin.

"I'm sorry, but is anyone else hungry? Fighting Slade made me hungry." Everyone looked at Changeling and agreed with him. They have been searching for Raven for so long that they forgot about their own nourishment.

"Please, let us order the pineapple pizza with extra of the wonderful yellow mustard."

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in awhile! Last week was exam week, and they are no joke. It's a struggle. To make up for my absence, I will post the next chapter very soon. Hopefully tomorrow if time permits

Verdant 20: You are so right! Thank you for noticing that error. Her age is suppose to be 21. I must have been on something to get that basic math wrong. Thanks for letting me know. I will try to fix that error as soon as possible.