"So how does this Slade guy work?"
Speedy looked up at his teammates. They were all sitting on the crescent shaped couch, dispersing their plans and concerns of the upcoming battle.
"He likes to ambush and pull surprise attacks," Cyborg answered.
"He might even use Raven to attack us," Nightwing said.
"Yeah! He's known for doing that. It's like his genre of attacks." Changeling said in annoyance.
Speedy and Bee listened intently to what the Titans had to say while Mas, Menos, and Aqualad were googling over Starfire and her loose attire of a tank top and shorts. She blushed when she realized that they were staring and gave a nervous laugh before sitting next to Nightwing for extra protection.
"We should perform the mock battle in the gym," Starfire said looking at Nightwing. "We are not familiar with your fighting styles, Titans East. If we practice and learn your fighting methods and combine ours with yours, we will surely defeat Slade and bring Raven to us."
Everyone looked at Starfire with astonishment of her plan. Cyborg gave her a high five with a large smile. "Good thinking, Star!"
Nightwing rose from his seat. "Alright, let's show you our gym and get to work.
Raven fell onto the mat, clutching her stomach after a bot kicked her. She looked up to see it standing over her with its foot raised high above her, ready to stomp. She was too slow to escape its range, but she managed to put her hands up and catch its heavy, metallic foot. She heard a small crack of her knuckles and winced slightly in pain. The immense training from Slade definitely brought up her pain tolerance. She pushed the bot's foot, losing its balance. She scurried to her feet and kicked the bot hard in the head, hoping that it would be disabled. It fell back on the floor. Raven looked back to see bot #2 running towards her to help its comrade. Bot #2 swung at her, causing her to pull back. She wanted to punch the bot back, but the hard metal would break her hand. She wished Slade at least gave her a weapon of some sort instead of her bare hands. She kicked the torso of bot #2. It skidded back on its heels but keeping perfect balance. She panted tiredly when it started to run at her again. These things will not die.
She was about to kick bot #2 in the head when she felt strong arms hold her back. She glanced to see bot #1 looking down on her. She didn't even see it get back up. Bot #2 was approaching quickly. She looked at Slade who sat in the corner with his arms folded. She wanted to scream out for help, but decided not to, knowing that he would not do anything. Bot #2 was now in her range. Before it could connect its fist with her face. Raven raised her legs. She pushed the bot back. It fell onto the floor with a thud. Raven could feel bot #1's grip loosen from the fall of its partner. Raven took this to her advantage by sliding down its arms. She jumped up, swinging her leg and rolling its head back. She could see a tear in its skin and sparks of electricity from its wires.
Raven turned back to bot #2. It was slowly getting back to its feet but Raven wasn't having it. She repeatedly kicked the bot in its chest, making small dents within its torso. She then applied pressure to its neck with her foot until she heard a small fuse within the bot. The lights behind its eyes darkened, indicating that it was no longer operating.
A sigh of relief came upon Raven. She bent over, placing her hands on her knees to catch her breath. She was dripping with sweat and her body ached. Slade gave a small clap as he walked onto the mat.
"Well done, my dear."
He placed a hand on her shoulder and looked at her face. She was paler than usual and her breathing irregular. He caught her within his arms before she blacked out. Her body went limp and her breathing was scarce. He sighed and carried her bridal style. He didn't mean to overwork her, but the importance of practice battles was strong to him. He was proud that she was able to defeat both of his bots at a high level. He smirked. That only showed him how well of a teacher he was.
Raven began to stir in her sleep. She felt the coldness of a fan as well as the comfort of a cold, soft material. She fluttered her eyes open to see a bright light and Slade staring down at her. She sighed and looked around. She appeared to be in her own room and she couldn't be more grateful.
She pulled herself up with the assistance of Slade, although she felt like she could do it herself.
"What happened?"
Slade placed the wet washcloth on her counter. "You blacked out after your training, probably overworked yourself and lack of nutrition."
Raven rubbed her face to bring herself back into reality. The only thing she could recall was destroying bot #2 then darkness.
"Did I meet your expectations?"
Slade chuckled and nodded. "You exceeded them."
Raven gave a small smile and looked at her hands. She felt butterflies in her stomach. She didn't want to admit it, but she felt good when he was proud of her.
Slade leaned back in his chair and looked at the female he harbored feelings for. "You are prepared for Thursday."
Raven looked up at him. " I know you have high expectations of my combat skills, but will you give me some weapons to assist me with the breaking in?"
Slade folded his arms and quickly replied. "No."
Raven was struck with astonishment and anger. Surely, she couldn't break into a tightly secured area with her bare hands. Even Nightwing would need gadgets. She opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind until Slade spoke before her.
"Because you will use your powers."
Raven immediately threw away her hateful message to him when she heard that. She missed the surge of her powers within her and longed to have them again. She leaned back against the bed in content, "Thank God."
Slade smirked underneath his mask. "I will give you a few weapons, but it is unlikely that you will use them. They're for emergencies as you could say."
Raven nodded, not really caring. She was just happy to get her powers back and these bracelets off her wrists.
"¡Bonita!" Mas y Menos looked at the formation of Bee and Starfire as they flew through the air with their powers intertwining and contacting the dummy that stood in the center of the room.
"Good job,girls!" Nightwing said. He turned to the guys. "Let's take a break."
The combined team made their way out of the gym and towards the common room to eat lunch and discuss more of their plans. Practice went smoothly and brought them confidence for their battle.
"We're gonna' kick Slade's butt so hard that he wouldn't even know what hit him!" Changeling said.
"We just gotta keep up that form and we'll be good to good to go!" Cyborg said.
"Let's order pizza!" Aqualad said, bringing out a pizza menu. How long will it take for the pizza guy to deliver?"
Cyborg and Changeling laughed at Aqualad. "Man! There's no way that scrawny pizza guy will bring our pizza here!"
"Why not?"
"Dude, we're on an island...surrounded by water...The delivery guy can barely carry the pizzas on his back better yet swim out here to give it to us."
Aqualad tossed the pizza menu to them, obviously annoyed by the embarrassment. ''At home, our pizza guy delivers.
"Someone will have to fetch the pizza from the store," Starfire said to the group.
"Sparky and I will get it!" Bee said.
Cyborg looked at her, shocked. He didn't feel like getting the pizza, but the offer can't be taken back now.
"Great. I'll order." Nightwing took out the phone and started to dial.
"Get vegetarian!"
"Nah man! Meat lovers!"
"Consegue anchoa!" Mas and Menos said in unison.
"No! Nothing but anchovies!" Aqualad pleaded.
Nightwing rolled his eyes. "I'm getting cheese."
"Sparky, I have to talk to you about something."
Bee was standing in front of the counter of the pizza shop. They had already let the chef known that they were here to get the order, but weren't surprised to know that they have done little to begin creating their pies. Cyborg leaned up against the counter as well, looking down at Bee. It was quite crowded so the noise in the small shop was loud.
Bee held Cyborg's arm and dragged him outside where it was less busy.
"What's up, Bee. Everything ok?"
Bee smiled at Cyborg. "Everything's fine, but I wanted to ask you an important question."
Cyborg raised an eyebrow.
"You. Me. Tomorrow night." Bee went into her pocket and brought out two tickets. "I was able to get two tickets to this go kart racing derby in town. Don't ask how I got it. Just know that we're going."
Cyborg took the tickets from her in shock, staring at it in disbelief. "Yo! I heard about it coming into town, but I never thought of going!"
Bee smiled at his excitement. Cyborg looked down at her and gave a cheesy smile. "So, this is a date?"
Bee blushed and nodded her head. "A date, Sparky."
"Five cheese pizza pies!"
Bee and Cyborg heard the order from outside the shop. "Go get it, Bee, I'll start the car."
She nodded and walked away. Cyborg got into the driver's seat and jumped with excitement thanking the heavens and smiling with joy. He had a small crush on Bee but never thought that he would have the opportunity of actually going out with her. Now he's able to spend time with her as well as going to the racing derby.
Cyborg quickly composed himself when he saw Bee walk out with the big boxes of pizza, but a smile was absolutely on his face.
Short chapter, I'm sorry. I wanted to squeeze something in this week. Thank you, everyone, who reviewed, it gives me the motivation to keep writing. Hope you enjoyed.