Chapter 10

Raven froze. She didn't scream or fight or even blink. She simply stood still and tried to keep her head above the ocean of fear crashing over her. She was dizzy, her thoughts slow. All her mind kept screaming at her was Slade is back! He's back!

"Dear Raven, it has been so long, but I see you still remember me," he began. "I hate to interrupt your fight with Plasmus but you and I have some business to attend to."

Oh, no we don't, she thought, her mind finally clearing. She took a deep breath and centered herself, sending a current of black energy from her mind to his body. It knocked him back almost fifteen feet. Raven turned and took a fighting stance, hands and eyes glowing. Slade landed gracefully and rose slowly to his full height, exuding confidence and control.

"Raven!" She heard Beast Boy's voice from a distance behind her but she didn't turn. Evidently he was just noticing Slade. She didn't flinch; she drew all of her energy and focus towards the man before her.

"Impressive, Raven," Slade commended her. "My, you have grown. No longer a 'Teen' Titan, I see."

"What do you want Slade?" She grit out, not in the mood to engage in his pleasantries.

"All business, as usual," Slade commented. He stared at her intently. "Do you know how difficult it is to separate you from the rest of your team? I was hesitant sending Plasmus, but it seems it's worked out nicely." He paused. "What I want, Raven, is you."

Adrenaline shot through her. Seriously? Me again? Why can't we go back to his obsession with Robin? She had no idea what he could possibly want with her, especially not after almost three years of silence. She never got the chance to ask. A large green wolf shot over her head towards Slade, snarling as his jaws snapped around Slade's forearm, which he thrust up to cover his face.

Raven was startled as she watched Beast Boy engage their nemesis. He changed form rapidly—from wolf to bear to tiger to gorilla—to both attack Slade and defend himself. She turned to find their other opponent but found the town square covered in in purple matter, a small sleeping man at the center.

Raven's lip turned up in the corner. That means it's two against one.

Rising up into the air, she turned back towards Slade and called forcefully, "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" With the words she sent a mailbox slamming into Slade's side as Beast Boy faced him from the front. He grunted at the impact and went sliding across the pavement. Raven returned to the ground and stood beside Beast Boy confidently.

Slade stood back up and looked back and fourth between the two of them. "Well, it seems you've improved and I'm out of practice," he enunciated, though Raven could tell he was breathing heavily. He turned his chilling gaze on her exclusively. "What a shame, it looks like our reunion will have to wait. We'll be in touch."

He pressed a controller in his hand and a deafening explosion filled the air. Raven ducked as smoke bombs detonated all across the square. The haze was so thick she couldn't see her hand in front of her face. It made her eyes water terribly. Her saturated lungs begged her to cough, and she allowed herself a few coughs to clear them. She could hear Beast Boy hacking the toxic smoke out of his chest as well.

She waved a hand in front of her face to clear the smoke, but as it dissipated she could see that Slade was no where to be found.

She pursed her lips in agitation, then sighed. There was nothing either of them could do—they were thoroughly unprepared to face Slade today. She saw Beast Boy a few feet away, visually confirmed that he was alright, then pulled out her communicator.

"Raven calling Robin," she said hoarsely. His picture came up.

"Raven, did you find any...what happened? Are you okay?"

"We're fine," she assured him. "We found Plasmus terrorizing a small town. We began to fight him and then..." She hesitated. "Robin, Slade was here."

He was silent for a few seconds. "He got away?"

"Yes. Robin, I—"

"I'm on my way. Robin out." The screen went dark. She sighed as she flipped the communicator shut and slipped it into her pocket. Typical Robin.

"Are you okay?" Beast Boy's voice was so close behind her it made her jump. His too was hoarse, but it gave his voice a deep, husky quality.

"I'm fine," she said, spinning around to find herself face-to-face with him. "You?"

"I'll be alright." His face was serious. "Wasn't expecting that, though."

"Neither was I."

"Well, at least we have..." Beast Boy turned towards where he had left Plasmus, but the sleeping man was no longer there. "Correction," he sighed, "we had Plasmus."

"Robin said he was on his way. I'm assuming Cyborg and Starfire will be coming with him."

"I heard." He surveyed the shaken town. "Well, I better get started on damage control here. Not like we've got much else to do until Robin arrives." He turned to look at her. "You coming?"

Raven hesitated. This definitely wasn't her strong suit. She normally left this part to her more personable teammates.

"Look, all you have to do is stand next to me and try not to look intimidating." He grinned. "I'll take care of the rest."

Raven rolled her eyes but followed behind him as he strode over towards the police officers. She waited as he said a few words to them, then gestured to a megaphone. After taking possession of it, he turned to address the onlookers.

"Alright, hello citizens of..." he looked at the police cars frantically. "Carlin! Citizens of Carlin! I'm Beast Boy, of Jump City's Teen Titans, here to let you know that the situation is under control! Plasmus, the ugly purple gooey guy, is supposed to be held at Jump City Prison, but he escaped yesterday and we've been tracking him down. We're sorry for the panic and, um, kind of destroying your town square." He gave a nervous laugh. "Anyway, me and my partner Raven over here will help clean everything up. If you have any questions, please contact your local police department," he said, jabbing a thumb at the officers. "Thanks!"

After returning the megaphone, he waved Raven over to the group. She reluctantly drew closer.

"Ok, Raven can lead clean up because she can move things with her powers while I'll help you all with reports and stuff." They had worked around law enforcement enough to know that they always wanted a statement. Beast Boy inched closer to Raven as the police chief said a few words to the other officers.

"So?" he asked eagerly.

She pursed her lips in appraisal. "Your leadership was...passable. Though it lacked finesse you did seem likable."

He beamed. "Coming from you, that might as well be an award." The police were done conferring and moved towards their individual assignments. "Now, get cleaning! See you in a few!"

Raven rolled her eyes but smiled as Beast Boy moved back towards the police chief. What's happening to me? she thought. Beast Boy's antics were actually starting to grow on her. And she really didn't mind.