hello everyone, I just wanted to thank you all for reading and reviewing and sticking with me this far.
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Chapter 27. Ambush and clear hearts
Four days ago
From the shadows of a cave high above the waterfall, two figures emerged, careful to not let the sun light give away their position.
"You see now how vulnerable they are. This way we hold the advantage? They're already a Titan short. We can now make sure they stay that way" said Slade.
"What about that other creature. Do you think she's a real threat?" Asked Blackfire.
"She can be, but this way, they'll be too busy staying alive and even if they escape this attack, I have another surprise for them" this made her smile with narrowed eyes as she watched the green Titan and his friend in careless abandon with no idea they were being surrounded. Slade turned to the girl and handed her a device that seemed to be a remote control.
"Here, give them the order"
"With pleasure, dear…" then she pressed a button and spoke "Attack!, destroy them both" They watched for a moment as the robots approached from different directions towards the clearing where the two changelings were. Then turned around back into the cave. Minutes later, the engine of a jet came to life and it took off , exiting their hideout from the other side of the mountain.
In the main time, down in the clearing…
"I'll tell him you called Raven… " Meliah said into the screen while she turned to her left to look at Garfield a few feet away from her, sitting in front of the graves. He looked over his shoulder and she gave him a knowing smile then turned back to speak to Raven. "I'm just not sure if he'll call you back any time soon" Raven's expression had hardened when she said "Thanks" and terminated the call.
"… and she's amazing mom, she's beautiful and very intelligent… I know you and dad would have liked her"
Meliah heard him say as she approached him. Place a hand softly on his shoulder while offering him his communicator. "You should call her soon. I can tell she misses you" she said softly to him with a smile. He turned to look at her while he said "Thanks M" and turned back to his parents.
When Meliah straighten up, something felt different. Her eyes averted to every detail in their surroundings and there, on the far left, among the bushes was a darker spot. She squinted her eyes while a breeze shook the bush and the figure remained still until it turned her way showing a masked face looking straight at her. She gasped and started to walk backwards towards Garfield who was oblivious to their surroundings. As she backed up, the figure slowly made its way out of his hideout place, and then another one just like it from farther behind and another one from the opposite side of the clearing. Slowly but surely, they were being surrounded.
"Gar?"
The figures came out in the open. All dressed in black with a golden mask, holding a laser gun with both hands, swords attached to their backs.
"Gar…"
"What should I do dad? Kiss her first before asking her out? Or ask her out before kissing her?" he said still sitting, his back to the world.
"GARFIELD! You wont even have a chance to call her back if you don't look up NOW!" She emphasized and a second later, Garfield heard a bear roar. He turned just in time to evade the swing of a sword and turned into a kangaroo, jumped and with hind legs in front of him, pushed the three men ready to attack, but the moment they went flying, they collided with another two behind them, making them explode.
Garfield made a back flip and turned into a tiger mid air, pouncing and hitting the robots on their heads with his huge paws. Meliah had turned into an anaconda, then a raptor, using her claws to rip apart the chest of her attackers.
But the more they destroyed the more appeared and the next batch started shooting their laser guns and the changelings decided to use bigger animals. A green elephant swung its trunk around, sending many of the robots flying and crashing into trees. A rhino charged head on to another group smashing them on the rocks. But the small clearing started to get crowded and destroyed. Trees were on fire thanks to the laser's missed targets, which had also hit the tombstones and made burning marks on the bottom and sides of their names.
This made Garfield angry and turned into a T-rex, swinging his tale and biting the heads off causing tingles of electricity run thru his jaw. That gave him an idea. He regroup with Meliah closer to the rocks and quickly explained his plan, then she run as fast as she could towards the water, fly off as high as the waterfall and turned into a whale on the way down. She fell at an angle just so when she touched the water made a splash high enough to reach the clearing while Garfield turned into an electric eel and released all the electricity that he could muster, causing every robot to short circuit at the same time.
Meliah came walking, careful not to touch anything metal as they were still charged. Garfield was back in his human form and stood up the moment she reached him.
"M? is this what you sensed the day we came?"
"I didn't know what it was, it just felt unnatural"
" Remind me to never doubt your instincts again." she smiled at him but another movement caught their attention. The upper half of one of the robots started to prop itself up and pushed a button on its chest and collapse shortly after.
"Gar, what are these? Where did they come from?"
"Not sure M. but if I didn't know better, I would say Slade sent them"
"Who's Slade?"
"A really bad dude that was supposed to be dead years ago. Or so we thought. This are his kind of minions… but they look different" he said kneeling in front of the one that had moved last and inspected it closer .
"I wonder why did he just pushed this button?" he said getting up and as if on cue, an explosion was heard. They looked up and around to find a clue and there, high above and beyond the waterfall, a cloud of dark smoke rose angrily. They looked at each other and in unison they said "The village!" and without another word, they run and turn into birds and flew towards the smoke. Garfield as a condor and Meliah as an eagle, flew as fast as their wings allowed them.
When they arrived, half of the village was destroyed. Several houses and small building were on fire and people was running around, trying to either take cover or help the injured. The first thing Garfield did as soon as he landed was to reach for his communicator to call for help, but unfortunately, a stray laser had made its way to it and was fried beyond repair. He tossed it aside and run towards the houses on fire along with Meliah to help rescue the ones trapped and put out the fires.
They flew high above around the sight to make sure no more robots emerged. When that was clear, he left Meliah to help in the village while he flew east to the closest town to get medical help for the injured. He flew almost for ten minutes before finding the next spot of civilization which were already notified and on their way with medical supplies and firefighters to help put out the fires that were spreading.
It took them almost two days to get everything under control. They turned into bloodhounds and help look for missing people that perhaps were trapped in the rubble.
Fortunately, no one was in danger of dying. When everything was under control, they decided to leave and return to jump City to warn the others, but Garfield doubted Slade would have waited this long to attack them, but he had to try. Before they departed however, the elder man who had welcomed them when they first arrived, asked to speak with Garfield in private. After thanking him for their help, he gave him a small red velvet pouch. It was rather old but well kept.
Garfield poured the contents on his hand and gasped, inside was also a small note, and when he read it all color left him and a tear run freely on his cheek. Meliah entered to remind him they had to go but when she saw his face the moment he turned, it alarmed her but he reassured her everything was more than fine and quickly put away the small pouch and the note inside of one of the compartments of his belt, thanked the man with a handshake and left running with Meliah to the nearest airport.
Present
Slade and Blackfire arrived at the depths of the cave were they had been hiding and planning their revenge. They were followed by a small army of robots that carried the bubble like force fields containing the girls and the still unconscious thief.
The three bubbles were in a semi circle in the middles of the chamber above consoles that kept the bubbles suspended in the air with Raven in the middle, Starfire to her left and the thief to her right.
Blackfire who had her arms crossed over her chest and a frown, suddenly spun around to face Slade.
"You should have let me get rid off that idiot"
"If you were not able to do it before when he was the most vulnerable, what makes you think that you can do it now that he knows we were behind the attack" he said calmly. This made her angrier and her eyes started to glow.
"Maybe I could have done a much better job than your stupid new robots. Besides, you know I couldn't be seen or he would have called my sister and this whole surprise attack would've never happened"
"Enough Blackfire!. We have what we needed and my plan is set in motion, we have no time for more distractions" he said sternly, never deterred by her strength and short temper. Her eyes stopped glowing but was still angry, so thru gritted teeth she said "Fine!" and flew out of the chamber.
"You two deserve each other. I cant wait to see who stabs who in the back first." said Raven with a sarcastic monotone. She was floating inside the bubble in a lotus position while watching with amusement at the two villains.
"Hello Raven, its been such a long time. How have you been?"
"Not long enough. What do you want with us? What did you do to Beast Boy?"
"Ah, Beast Boy, as I recall, he was being very attentive with his friend Meliah. What a couple they made."
"They're NOT a couple!" she said now standing on her feet, fists charged with dark energy and eyes glowing red.
"Touched a nerve I see. And don't even try to use your powers in there. I wouldn't recommend it. You know Raven, for someone who has to repress her emotions to control her powers is showing awful lot for a man that obviously chose someone else"
"Shut up Slade. I know what you're trying to do and it wont work. Why don't you tell me what you're plan is instead. Either way Robin will find us and bring you down once and for all"
"In time Raven in time" he said as he started to leave but a moan made them turn in its direction. Red X was slowly waking up but there was also blood around him. He tried to get up but the shooting pain on the side of his stomach was unbearable.
"Slade, you have to let me heal him. That wound is deep and he can bleed out unless he gets it checked."
"Don't worry Raven, He'll live…" but as he said those words, Red X made a last effort to get up then collapsed with no more signs of even breathing.
"Slade, if killing him was part of your idea then you would have left him behind but you didn't, which means he's part of your plan somehow and I don't think he would be any good to you while dead, so, let me. Save him." there was a hint of desperation in her words.
"Please Slade, I'm begging you, let Raven heal his wounds" said Starfire speaking for the first time since they arrived in the cave. She was kneeling inside the bubble. Hands still chained, eyes still covered by the goggles. She could barely make out her surroundings but heard the desperate tone Raven had spoken in and Raven never did desperate, let alone begging, so she did that instead.
Slade hesitated for a moment, looking from one girl to the other and with the push of a button on a small remote concealed in his left arm, the two consoles containing the thief and the sorceress started to move towards each other and slowly collided, merging and popping open a space big enough for Raven to pass thru. She kneeled the best she could next to him and placed her hands over his stomach. Her hands started to glow and as her dark energy entered his body thru the open wounds, she felt the extent of the damage. Skin, muscle and ligaments were burnt but no important veins or organs.
But there was something else. Something familiar. Something she had only sensed once, but she kept going as Slade had made his way in front of her to assess her progress. His wounds were almost healed and she made one last push into his mind. A recent memory. And there, for a split second, saw his reflection on the mirror thru his eyes and gasped softly removing her hands off his body almost with a jerk. The thief then took in a sharp breath and out of reflex grabbed Raven's hand and turned to look at her.
"Hey beautiful" he said softly. Almost apologetic.
"Enough!, he'll live now, go back to your force field Raven. Your help is no longer required"
Reluctantly she let go of his hand, never looking away from the eyes of his mask. "Rest" was all she said and levitated back to her bubble. The consoles parted from each other again and the bubbles closed once more.
Blackfire return the moment the consoles made the last movements back to their previous position.
"What's going on here?" she asked landing next to Slade who was watching a thoughtful Raven. She had the hood of her cloak over her head and was now floating again on a lotus position.
" Nothing. Lets go. We have last minute details to go over" and without a second glance to her sister, Blackfire followed Slade out of the chamber.
"Raven?" asked Starfire quietly.
"Yes Star?" said in her emotionless tone. Her words came rushing back and the image of Starfire's accusing expression from earlier popped into her mind reliving the confusion all over.
"Will Red X be ok?" she sounded defeated, sad. As if she had given up any hope.
"Yes, he just needs to rest… Star? Mind telling me what did you mean by "your lover" when you referred to Robin earlier?" there was silence that stretched far too long. Raven opened her eyes and turned to the alien who was still kneeling, head bent, shackled hands on her lap.
"Well?" insisted Raven. Her patience running thin as her words had bothered her earlier.
"I rather not" she said quietly.
"Why?"
"It is not the place or time to speak of such things" Star said after a moment.
"It is the perfect time and place as it is pointless to wait since we don't know when we'll be getting out. So, I'll ask one more time… what, did you mean?"
"She's jealous of you Raven. Jealous of the kind of relationship you have with Robin and feels left out" Red X said from the other side of Raven. He was now reclining the best he could as the shape of the force field was too uncomfortable in any position.
"What!?" Raven snapped her head towards him then turned to Starfire who was now struggling to take off the goggles off her face and with a final grunt of exasperation got what she wanted.
"Friend Red X, that was rude and inappropriate of you to expose my thoughts without me approving prior of you doing so" she yelled and her eyes were glowing green.
"I'm sorry Star, but I had to. She's the only one who can clear the doubts you have"
"I have no doubts any more, I saw them hugging in her room in near dark and…"
"Enough! You two. I'm standing right here…. You!…" Raven pointed at the thief and said "Stay out if this… you have some explaining to do later…" then turned to the girl who's eyes were no longer glowing and was holding back tears of anger. "Starfire, is this true?" she said softly this time.
"Yes…" Starfire said after a moment trying to pass the knot on her throat.
"The relationship you two have is one I cannot fully understand. Even though you don't speak much of how you feel about anything, Robin can always tell whether you're sad, or upset or even happy. He knows what to say when he needs you to talk and then you just do and he respects your opinion and takes it into consideration and always checks with you before any important decisions and all the while never forgetting about your feelings…"
"Star…"
"And then is like you have your own language. The looks, the gestures. Sometimes not a single word is needed and yet you understand each other… but with me, he barely lets me in, he doesn't take me seriously and then, I saw him in your room, almost in the dark, embracing each other and I even heard him say "only for you" . so tell me friend, if I can even call you that, how am I supposed to feel or even think after all that"
"Star… I'm sorry… I never knew my friendship with Robin could bother you so…" she said quietly, astonished to what she just heard, even reliving the moment in her room and realizing how wrong it probably seemed to her friend.
"You misunderstand friend. It doesn't bother me that you're friends. What bothers me is how close you two are. I've been in love with him for many years now and I am yet to achieve that kind of bond or any kind for that matter." she sniffed once more as she kept looking to the ground.
"Star, he was the first one to ever trust me without questions and invited me into the team. He was the first one not to send me away after finding out about what I was destined to do and he even went into hell and back to rescue me, so in short, I owe him my life and I've been in his mind and know exactly how he thinks, that's why we don't need any words. So please, stop worrying about that. Besides, he doesn't like me that way. He likes you, but you make him nervous…"
"But what about your room?" Star said looking up with hopeful eyes. Raven sighed, she felt embarrassed to remember the reason why.
"You're right when you say he can tell when I'm upset. I had been worried that.. Beast Boy had chosen Meliah and forgotten all about me. So when he came by and I explained to him what happened he tried to make me feel better. And when I hugged him back is because he gave me a perspective that I had not thought of, so I was happy enough to regained control of my emotions and my powers."
"So, he really likes me?" Star said after a few minutes.
"Yes.. He even had planned the date he promised you with dinner and dancing"
"Really? Oh that's wondrous… friend Red X you were right all along."
"So wait, Red X is not your lover?" Raven asked pointing to the thief on the other side while he snapped out of his revere and turned his head sharply "What!?"
"Forgive me friends, for I was upset at the moment." said Star while shaking her head no and smiled up at Raven. "He is a wonderful friend and was kind enough to lend me his shoulder to cry on"
" And I thought you were after Starfire, I mean, now it would make sense …"
"I know what you saw Raven, and that somehow you already know, but let me tell you this, I'm not exactly like him. For starters I'm a thief. And I steal things, not hearts. Robin and Beast Boy already warned me to stay away from you two and If I was to even try to snatch either one of you from them, I'm sure I would definitely not live longer than the time it would take them to kill me."
"What!? They did that? When?"
"The day I…" He was interrupted by a loud explosion muffled by the closed metal doors. Red X quickly got up as did the girls to prepare for whatever was coming. Starfire then started to used the beams from her eyes to try to destroy the shackles on her hands.
The material was strong and noticed something familiar on it. It was the same kind of lock as the ones she once had when she first arrived to earth. She felt panic as she started to have an idea of her sister's plan . And so slowly, started to work on it again as it would take time to break free with just her eye beams.
…
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