The Unknowing

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or anything dealing with DCU

Chapter Twenty Four: Please Remember Me, Raven

Third Point of View

Raven knows something isn't right as soon as she starts to stir awake. Her eyes feel heavy but besides that she feels increasingly light, too light. That's when she realizes what's wrong, she doesn't feel her powers. She shoots up from her laying position so she can catch up on the series of unfortunate events that lead her to this moment. The last thing she expected to see was a nice condo with modern furniture and a pillow under where her head must have rested. What the hell?

"Morning sleepy head, good to see those big purple eyes again."

The second she hears his voice, she knows who it belongs to. Jason fucking Todd.

"Where the hell am I?" Raven demands as she swings her legs over the couch. She scoffs when she spots the cuffs on her wrists, that must be what's preventing her from feeling her an ounce of her powers. He's going to regret this, she'll make sure of it. Turning to her left, she sees him sitting on a bar stool in all his Red Hood attire but minus his helmet. She can't wait until she can wipe that smug smirk off his face.

"My safe house, you'll be happy to know it's one of my nicer ones actually," he replies as he leans back. He was right, she no longer looks peaceful. She looks like she's ready to kill me with that glare alone. "You made quite the outfit change. I have to admit that I like the color but I prefer the look you chose instead."

She rolls her eyes, choosing to ignore his comment on her new outfit. "You've got to be kidding me? How did I get here? Where's Sebastian? If you hurt him-"

"Relax, your husband is fine… for now." Jason sighs as he pushes his hair out of his eyes. "Deathstroke distracted you long enough for me to sedate you and get out of there. I made a promise to Dick that no matter what happens, we protect you, so that's what I did. You'll eventually thank me for it."

"You worked with Slade? That's a desperate move, don't you think?"

"I'd argue it worked well. I got you here, didn't I?" He can tell by her glare that she's getting impatient.

"Sebastian is going to find me and when he does, he will make you regret ever laying a hand on me." Sebastian would do anything for her, he's proven that countless times over the years. It's one of the reasons she loves him so much. It's one of the reasons she needs to get back to him as soon as she can.

"The only thing I'm worried about is trying to break the hold he has on you," Jason says and shrugs.

Raven turns away, she can't look at this man as he speaks ill of her husband. She can't stand it. "Lies. I won't believe anything you say after learning the truth about you and Dick. The Titans. You're all manipulators!"

"The only person that's lied to you is Blood. You need to remember this, Sunshine. Deep down you know who he really is. A follower of Trigon, an enemy of the Titans. Your enemy." If only some of the founding Titans were here to help her remember the truth and not the story that was crafted for her by Blood. That would definitely make his job a hell of a lot easier.

"You're wasting your time." She shakes her head, not wanting to hear that nickname so instead she stares at the tv and glass tv stand in front of her. Too bad she can't throw it at him right about now.

"I would never call you a waste of time, Sunshine," he quips.

Raven can't help the vein from popping out of her forehead as he says that. She doesn't know why his words annoy her so much but they do and she hates it. She turns to him, bringing her left leg onto the couch so she can face him. She wants to see his reaction to what she's about to say.

Jason doesn't linger on how perfectly shaped her legs are as he watches her from a few feet away. No matter how much he wants to. Since the first night in the tower, the first time he saw what she looked like under the cloak, he thought she had the best legs he's ever seen. However, her current outfit makes sure everyone else knows it too. It's more showy in that sense.

"You never told me, Jason, what was it like growing up and becoming the second Robin? You must have loved having Dick as an older brother, right? I mean, he's a true role model, wouldn't you say? He's smart, charismatic, a great detective and a real leader. I'm sure you looked up to him, right? Or did Bruce make you despise him?" She waits for a reaction but his lack of one has her continuing. "I bet he compared you to Dick all the time. It's hard to live up to the first pick, isn't it?"

Jason tries to not let what she says affect him because he knows it's not really Raven. She would never talk to him like this, but he can't lie when he says it doesn't hurt to hear her say that to him with a smirk on her face. Shit he does not want to think about anymore. "I know what you're doing and it's not very subtle."

"I'm not trying to be. So what's it like living in his shadow? Never being as good as he was, even dying on the job." Raven smiles when she spots the annoyance behind his gaze. She may not have access to her powers right now but that doesn't mean she can't still read people.

"Stop, this isn't you. The Raven I know-"

"The Raven you knew was an imposter! You tricked me, brainwashed me into believing Sebastian was the bad guy! I wish I never trusted you." She was a fool for ever believing in them and it is her life's biggest regret. Sebastian deserves better than what she can provide but she'll spend every day trying her best. There won't be a day she doesn't show him how devoted she is to him.

"He's lying to you, Raven. Think about it, how could we brainwash you? It doesn't make sense." Fuck. He needs to convince her but how is he going to do that when she thinks he's the bad guy and Blood is her savior? Double fuck.

"I don't know how you did it but I know you did and you'll pay for it. Sebastian and I are going to cleanse this world, erase all of the evil within it and then, then we'll finally have a place with sweet and utter peace. Forever."

He didn't realize hearing Raven talk like this would cause such a stir of emotions within him. After this is all resolved, he'll have to make sure the Comply Serum all gets destroyed. He can't let something powerful enough to make Sunshine forget what team she fights for, getting loose on the streets. It would wreak havoc.

"And how do you erase evil?"

"By killing those who oppose us, those not worthy enough to serve Sebastian as I serve him. People like you." She says as she tries to lift her hands, only to be stopped by her leash. She glares at her predicament before turning back to the one who brought her here. "Or who knows, maybe he'll see something in you that even I don't see like he did with Dick. Take your choice away altogether with the Comply Serum."

Taking to his feet, Jason shakes his head as he folds his arm over his suited chest plate. It's then she realizes his leather jacket is off, revealing his black armor. "You're saying you're going to kill thousands, possibly millions of people. Slaughter them because they don't want to follow a cult leader. How's that just?"

"Anyone who unwillingly bends the knee to my husband has ill intentions and should be eliminated immediately. However, I must admit that you have a special skill set that he may decide to acquire."

"Yeah, with the same drug that brainwashed you. Your husband used that Comply Serum to make you follow his every word. Sunshine, you need to snap out of it, this isn't you. You're stronger than this, much stronger."

Raven scoffs. "You're pathetic, Todd. Count your blessings now because my betrothed will find me and make you pay for what you've done."

"That crazy cult leader is not your betrothed! He's lying to you about everything! Snap out of it already, Sunshine!" Jason growls. He knows he shouldn't lose his temper with her but it's hard not to when the pit is fighting to be seen, fighting to be heard. Her switch to his last name also does not go unnoticed by him, only fueling the pit more.

Raven smiles up at Jason and he watches as her hair falls behind her shoulders. She can tell the affects she has on him and she's loving it. She honestly thought it would take more effort for him to lose his cool but she was pleasantly surprised it did not take long. He's showing a weakness he shouldn't show anyone, let alone her.

"You're going to regret taking me. Who knows, maybe I'll keep you as my personal servant. Make you wait on me hand and foot and punish you when you disobey me. We can even make some of the punishments fun."

Jason can feel himself starting to get worked up but he reminds himself that he needs to push it down so he channels all his years of training to aid him. "Raven, listen to me, you are stronger than that drug, okay? You were an original member of the Teen Titans. They're your family. You spent years stopping villains in San Francisco, that's where we first meant. In that warehouse where I crossed yours and Cyborg's wires. And then I tied you and Beast Boy together. I could tell that pissed you off. Please, I just need to remind you who you are."

Raven laughs to herself but the sound comes out hollow. If he wants to go down this road then okay, they'll go down this road but he won't be happy. "This'll be fun, sad but fun. Go on, try to convince me of your lies, second choice."

Jason holds her stare a moment longer before responding. Being called second choice hitting deeper than her calling him by his last name. Her tricked brain is loving his reaction too, it's all over her face because she's not hiding her emotions to him.

"When we were in the library, you told me that you wanted to move to Gotham so you can learn about where your mother grew up." Raven rolls her eyes, remembering the time he is referencing but knowing it was all an illusion. He chooses to ignore her and continue, "When you said that, I… I was happy because I didn't want you to leave Gotham. Not yet. Having a friend in Gotham, outside of the bat family, is something I've wanted for a while now."

That's not a lie either, he was starting to feel lonely in Gotham. He's not close with the bat family by any means. Sure, he helps them for the most part when Bruce asks him but he's only asked when they really need the help. He knows Tim is taking Damian's place while he's with the Titans to apparently learn some team building skills. He'd like to see that. But for the most part, Bruce and Tim work well together and now they also have Stephanie helping out nowadays. Now doubt because of Tim. He's seen them both eye each other when they think no one is looking. They have the hots for each other and it's obvious. Not to mention Barbara and Dick helping the bat family out when they can.

Needless to say, Jason is not usually needed as back up and that's how he's forged his relationship with everyone after his more wild days of being Red Hood. Everyone seemed to respect his distance, or maybe they simply did not care enough to try to get closer, while Dick bothers him every chance he gets. It's probably karma for stealing his Red X suit and holding his real identity over his head for years.

For so long now, he felt he should keep to himself. Be cautious of people because even the closest people can hurt you the most. He learned that from Bruce. He learned that from his mom. And Sheila. But it's not like he cut himself off completely, he's had teammates but most of those relationships ended poorly. The only ones he still talks to from time to time are Roy and Artemis. The only two who didn't try to kill him or screw him over, at least so far that is.

"Isn't that cute, the high and mighty Red Hood is lonely and wants a friend to play with. Is that it? Or do you have a little crush on me? Did you fall for me while you were lying to my face?" She tilts her head mockingly, more purple strands falling to the side as she does so. "Don't ever mistake my delusional state for ever equating to having feelings for you. You were nothing before Batman found you, you're nothing now and you will continue to be nothing. You're no one's first pick, not even now. Batman has a current Robin, doesn't he? Red Robin I believe, filling in for Damian while he's with the Titans. Dick updated me. It must sting to know your only family wants to forget and move on without you in their lives."

Jason forms a fist, knowing full well that's not true but getting angry regardless. He's mad that he has such a difficult relationship with his family. It would be easier if his past never happened like it did, there'd be more trust on both sides. "If that's true then why did Dick come to me for help?"

Raven shrugs like the answer is obvious. "He was desperate, people do stupid things when they're desperate. You should know that."

He rolls his eyes at her words. "The real Raven would never talk like this, she wants to help people. She sees through all the bullshit and right now, I'm seeing through all of yours."

Clearly, she isn't trying hard enough so she'll have to step it up a notch. "Is that so? Then tell me if I'm bullshitting when I say this…. There can only be one true reason as to why the Joker is still alive and I think you know why that is, deep down but you don't want to admit it to yourself. Moreless say it out loud."

There's a twinkle in her purple eyes, she's enjoying what she's doing. She wants him to feel nothing but pain because she thinks they kidnapped her and tricked her when she couldn't be farther from the truth. She bites her bottom lip and it doesn't make him happy like it usually does, no this isn't his Raven. No- not his Raven, he didn't mean that. Just that the Raven before him isn't the same Raven he saw in the desert with Dick. She's different from the nervous Raven he guided in the kitchen when they made breakfast after she made the manor rattle more than he liked.

How the hell did he get here? All he wanted to do was kill the Joker without his family finding out. He still plans to do it quietly and not let the news break out for quite some time. Maybe a year or so with people questioning his whereabouts but coming up short. They would eventually declare him dead and people would move on, with a feeling of safety they never felt before. Everyone deserves to have a world without the Joker. Unfortunately, Jason can't do anything about the Joker while he's here with a Blood worshiping Raven. Failing at his one job right now.

"Sunshine, don't-"

"Lie? We both know the truth, Todd. It's the only logical option there is. Bruce simply does not love you enough to kill Joker. Hell, he doesn't care enough to make sure he stays locked up consistently. How many times has he broken out of Arkham since he killed you? Two? Three? More? You would know better than me I'm sure."

"Enough!" Jason huffs, pushing back his white patch of hair as he starts pacing in front of her. He can feel his eyes glowing without his consent and it's getting harder to hold back.

"Awh, am I making you angry? I have to say the green eyes are kind of hot. You know what would be even hotter though? Watching as my husband drains the life from your eyes entirely." Raven mentally cheers when she sees his blue eyes completely fade away into a deep green. If he gets angry enough then he's bound to make a mistake and that will be her chance out of here. Back to Sebastian, he must be so worried for her.

"Yeah, you're actually starting to piss me off now." Jason stops pacing as he takes in her words. Jason is not a fool, he knows the real Raven doesn't think he's hot. She would never say that to him in a million years. He's not even her type… although he's not sure what her type is exactly but nonetheless, he knows she would never call Jason Todd hot. That, he is sure of.

"Are you really that surprised that you're so easily angered? That dip in the Lazarus pit changed you forever. You've never been the same since and you never will be that teenage boy again either. Now you're a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. Admit it."

Jason sighs, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah, probably." She's not wrong but no matter what she says, she can't make him lose control. He's better than that but he can't deny she goes for the heart, she's not playing around. He moves to the kitchen as he wills the boiling pit back down. Taking deep breath in and then out all the way before repeating the cycle until he feels a little lighter.

"Where are you going?"

He walks back over until he's standing in front of the stool he previously occupied with a bag of trailmix in his hands. "Getting a snack. Seems like it's going to take a while to remind you who you really are and I'm hungry."

Now he's back to that aloof jerk and she despises it. She thought she could get him to break, even just for a second but he doesn't. All of her progress is now gone. She can feel herself seething with contempt. "If you don't release me from these restraints right now then I will make sure you pay with blood. Painfully."

"Yeah yeah, I've heard all the torture talk. Not your strong suit though." Jason says as he takes a handful of trail mix.

Raven leans as far as she can from her spot on the couch until she feels the cord pull her back. She locks eyes with him before she speaks. "When I'm free, I am going to use my soul self to shatter your soul from the inside out. Then I'm going to put it back together and do it all over again. Again and again. Better?"

Jason pauses his chewing to fake think over her question. "Yeah, actually that was a lot better but it's only because you added what you planned to do to me. It's the empty threats that always fall short."

"Everything I say holds weight. It would be wise to remember that, Todd."

Jason breaks eye contact to put down the bag of trail mix. He walks up to her until he's a foot in front of her. He looks down at her while she looks up at him, daringly. "I don't know how I feel about you calling me Todd, that's sort of Damian's thing."

"You are pathetic. Despicable."

"This isn't you talking, it's the drug. It's Blood."

For a second, it looks like she's going to pounce on him, despite her lack of movement right now. If looks could kill then he would be dead already. Luckily for him, it doesn't work like that.

"You're the worst of the nonbelievers. Don't worry though, you'll see soon enough when Brother Blood brings peace to this universe. If you don't burn first," Raven says as she leans back in her seat.

Fuck, he's going to need a a dozen shots of whiskey and a couple joints after all of this. He noticed soon after he came back that his normal alcohol didn't do the trick like it used it. He's had to double everything because of the effects of the pit. He's still not sure how he feels about that. But paying attention to the problem at hand, he's going to have to change his methods because what he's doing is clearly not working. He drops to his knees as he settles before her. He wants to be at eye level with her. The surprise in her eyes doesn't go unnoticed by Jason.

"Gloria, Gloria Stanson," he begins.

"Is that one of your ex girlfriends or something?"

"No, she was a sexual assault victim. She didn't call it in the first time because she was embarrassed. The second time Batman and I were called in. I assured her she would never go through that pain again but I wasn't able to save her in time from a man named Felipe. I was helping on a different case when we got word." Jason swallows back the lump in his throat. It's been a long time since he thought about any of this. "She felt helpless, like no one could help her so she took measures into her own hands. She hung herself. That was in the first year of putting on the Robin suit. Didn't wear it for a while after that."

Raven doesn't respond immediately and it gives him a sliver of hope. Maybe he's finally making progress with her.

"Because Batman canned you for fucking up?" Raven hums, pushing her cloak off her leg so it drops its length to the floor. Ever since she remembered who she was, she felt a wave of confidence seep into her. She no longer cares what other people think of her or how much skin she shows.

Maybe he shouldn't be so hopeful. "No, because I couldn't stomach myself. I was ashamed and embarrassed. I should have seen it coming but I didn't, I made a mistake and she paid the price for it. A good detective wouldn't miss that. I wasn't a good detective back then," he admits, more to himself than her.

"You're right about that at least."

Jason looks at Raven, pleading with her to listen to him with a silent language only their eyes know. "You may be insufferable right now but I'm not giving up on you because the Raven I know wouldn't give up on me either. You saw through my bullshit that first night in the tower. Most people take it for face value but you saw right through me. So see through these lies now, see through the Comply Serum so you can come back to us, little bird."

Raven pauses, short of a comeback all of a sudden. There's something about hearing the nickname "little bird" that pulls at her heartstrings in a way that aches throughout her chest. It reminds her of her mother, Arella.

It's true, Raven and her mother were never very close but they shared an immense love and respect for one another. She doesn't blame Arella for how distant she was throughout her childhood, she had no choice. Azar and the monks thought it best that Arella stayed far away and only had scheduled visits once a month, for thirty minutes at a time. Sometimes less depending on Raven's mood. The decision was to save the world so Raven never felt too much emotion all at once, she needed to learn how to take them all in without hurting anyone. It took her years to master that skill. But one of the ways Arella showed Raven love was by calling her, her special little bird. Raven always adored the nickname. She hasn't heard it since her mom, that is until Jason.

She takes another look at the man before her, on his knees and begging her to believe his words. She can't, she shouldn't believe anything he says. But the way he called her little bird, a name only her mother called her, seemed to unlock something within her. She scrunches her eyebrows in confusion as she looks down at her trapped hands. Something is very wrong, she can feel it.

Jason takes her momentary stupor as a good sign, maybe he shouldn't because he's had no luck but call him stubborn. He has to keep trying, it's not fair for her. "Come on, little bird, you have to remember who you are, who I am. You opened up to me about your mom and I have a feeling you probably don't do that with most people. Although, you never mentioned her name."

Raven swallows her anxiety down as she focuses on his words. Her mom?

"Arella," she says and Jason almost shoots up from his spot on the floor. Her eyes are more confused than ever and he doesn't miss the tears that well up. "J-Jason?"

"Yeah, it's me, Rae," he breathes. "Please come back-"

Kssshhhhk!

Jason doesn't get a chance to finish what he's saying as the sound of broken glass shatters behind him. He already knows it's from his balcony because that's the only glass behind him. As he starts to turn around, he sees a flash bang coming their way and he mentally curses before throwing himself towards Raven. He knows it'll do little good but he doesn't care because it's all he has time to do. It erupts loudly as it goes off, making his ears ring. The flash bang does exactly what it's meant to, immobilizing the two while a smoke bomb enters the room next but instead of smoke, green gas leaks out of it.

The light blinds Raven the most and immediately gives her a raging headache. Groaning, she falls from the couch and onto the floor disoriented. She can vaguely feel Jason trying to catch her as she falls but it's to no avail. With tears running down their eyes and green gas filling their lungs, the pair can only cough before ultimately falling unconscious.

Within seconds, two figures with gas masks drop in through the broken balcony window. They ignore the sound of broken glass beneath their feet as they take in the scene they willfully caused.

The younger of the two, Nightwing, releases his grappling gun while his newfound savior's partner, Mother Mayhem, walks towards the pair. She smirks as she crouches down to the fallen birds. It's easy to tell that Red Hood tried to throw himself in front of the Gem, maybe he thought he actually had a chance of getting them out of here. Pathetic.

Mayhem runs her hand along her face as she closely inspects the demon offspring. It was always the plan for Sebastian to marry her, but she never realized he would actually fall for her. Pushing aside her hair, she takes a better look at her before turning to her new lackey.

"Good work, Nightwing. I'm glad to know we did not waste our time on you after all."

Dick nods as he walks to stand beside her. "Thank you for giving me another chance, Mother Mayhem. I'll do whatever I can to prove my devotion to you and Brother Blood."

"I know you will." She replies as she stands up. She runs her hand along his suited arm and gives him a squeeze before nudging him forward. "Now apprehend the Gem and Batman's failed charity project quickly. Brother Blood is expecting us."

"As you wish, Mother Mayhem."