Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)
Chapter 25:
The Unraveling
Lightning flashed, "B-Bruce?" Kida stared down at the sleeping man beside her. Once again, her heart started racing as she replayed the last few hours within her mind. It wasn't something she imagined…it happened. She felt a bit lightheaded, lifting a hand to her head as she swung her legs over the side of the bed; they felt heavier than usual. Exhaustion swept over her but at the same time, it felt like her body was floating on a cloud. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the damage that had been done during their fight. She looked back at Bruce and carefully moved his arm from around her waist so as not to wake him. After making sure she was in the clear, Kida stood from the bed and realized that her robe was back in the kitchen. She cursed beneath her breath before tiptoeing out of the room through the house and into the kitchen. Suddenly her foot bumped something that had begun to vibrate, starling her. She held her chest to calm her rapidly beating heart and looked down to see her phone with Sierra's contact pic flashing across the screen. Kida picked it up and leaned against the kitchen wall that had the least damage. She held the phone to her chest and took a deep breath before exhaling; she answered the call, "Sierra."
"Kida? Is everything alright? Where are you?"
"I'm still home, but I'll be leaving shortly."
"You haven't left yet? Damnit Kida I've been at the facility for a couple of hours now!"
She sighed, "I know, I know. Something unexpected came up."
"Unexpected? You okay?"
"I'm fine. Do you have her?"
"Yeah."
"Good work, I hope she didn't give you much trouble."
"Tch, you have no idea."
"Alright. I'm heading to you now so I'll see you in a few. Make sure everything is in place."
"Roger that."
Kida ended the call and let her head rest on the wall as she sighed again. What happened between her and Bruce wasn't going to change anything. It couldn't. She moved to retrieve the two-piece set of a leather outfit that was stashed inside an end table that happened to be now broken. In a laundry basket that lay near where her sofa used to sit, she grabbed some underwear. Within a few moments she was clothed and zipped up the black stiletto heeled boots that she'd slip her feet into. Before she headed out the front door, she glanced back in the direction of the bedroom. She'd have to deal with Bruce later. Kida made her leave and let the door shut behind her.
Bruce rested his back on the wall right next to the damaged door frame, arms folded across his chest out of sight. He felt the woman move and decided to lay in wait to see what she would do. Thanks to planting a micro listening device on the back of one of her ears, he was able to eavesdrop on her phone conversation. The device was planted sometime during their struggle, not during their…he shook the thought out. Something was happening and it had to be a part of Kida's plan. What was she up to? Suddenly his thoughts drifted back to her touch and he couldn't help but feel like it was right. At least until he realized that that little stunt might cost him. He sighed, "Damnit. Dianna." It was too late to take it back now but he'll deal with that part of his life when all this is over. Bruce grabbed his slacks that were lying beside the bed and retrieved his phone to call Cyborg.
"Hey Bruce."
"Are you and Raven in Tokyo?"
"Yeah, but how did you know that?"
He sighed, "Just a guess, but I have a lead on who's responsible for those devices. Trace the location from this call and you and Raven rendezvous with me here."
"Raven and I split up to cover more ground, but I've lost communication with her." Bruce thought to himself if Raven might've been the "her" that Kida was referring to on her call. "Bruce, still there?"
"Yeah, I'm here. But you need to meet with me as soon as possible. I'll explain things more once you're here."
{ }
Beastboy looked at Raiden wide-eyed as she sat herself up in the hospital bed shaking her head, "Man, that must've been some jump huh." The blanket that had been provided for her fell to her waist revealing a well-developed chest that the boy certainly wasn't expecting. He immediately turned away; face as red as a beet while the girl stretched her arms above her head nearly ripping the tight-fitted tee she wore. Raiden turned her attention to him, "Beastboy? You alright?"
"Yeah. Sure. Nothing wrong over here, just uh…*gulp*…going to go talk to the nurse about getting you some clothes to change into." He inched his way over to the door.
Raiden smiled, "Okay then."
"Yeah, be right back."
"Oh!" She stopped him just as he took a step out the door, "Don't forget to ask for a bra okay."
The boy's face just grew redder, "Right. Won't forget that."
"Awesome, thanks!" She waved as he left and the door shut behind him. Her smile faded as she turned her attention to the mirror across the room. She lifted her hands to examine them. Nineteen huh. Just as the thought crossed her mind almost a rush of visions flooded her thoughts causing her eyes to glow white. She saw her mother being dragged onto a cycle that disappeared into the night. Her father in a fist fight with Aqualad and then the man jumped off the roof of a hotel building. The streets of Tokyo lit up with a spherkalite and the face of a woman she didn't know…Kida. As quickly as the visions came, that's how they stopped. Raiden placed a hand on her head feeling lightheaded from the sudden ordeal while the glow in her eyes left. There was a knock on the door which startled her, "Y-Yes?"
"It's me." Beastboy. "Are you decent?"
Raiden smiled softly, "Yeah. Hadn't moved." The boy entered the room cautiously with a small stack of folded clothes. "Did they give you anything that's my stye?"
"Pfft, in a hospital? You wish." He walked over to the bed and placed the stack on the bed.
Her eyes fell on a small plastic sealed bag, "What's this?" She grabbed it and tried to look through it.
"That's…*ahem*…u-underwear." The boy's face turned red again, "Y-You mentioned b-bra so I figured y-you'd need t-those too."
Raiden looked at him with a smile, his gaze lingering elsewhere in the room, "That's thoughtful, I didn't think of that. But why are they in a baggie?"
"Nurse said something about the brand the hospital orders or something like that." He shrugged.
"Weird, but okay." She looked through the other clothes, white muscle shirt, gray sweatpants and a plain white bra. Nothing really to her liking but it'll have to do, "Thanks BB."
"No biggie." He suddenly saw something in the corner of his eye and by reflex, turned his head to her only to see the girl removing the current tight tee she was wearing. Beastboy immediately turned back around, heart racing, "What are you doing?!" He didn't see anything! He didn't see anything!
Raiden raised a brow as she tossed the shirt aside and grabbed the bra. "Changing. What's up with you?"
"Modesty kid! Show some, would ya!" He placed his hand over his heart thinking it would help calm it down.
Raiden sighed, "Would you stop calling me 'kid'. And why are you acting all serious and mature all of a sudden?"
"Why am I…?" His eye twitched. She has to know, right? There's no way she thinks that they can keep carrying on like she's twelve.
"And you keep facing the other way like—" It dawned on her and she grinned slyly, "Are you embarrassed?"
"E-Embarrassed? Not at all." Beastboy chuckled nervously, "T-There's nothing to be e-embarrassed about."
"It's the boobs isn't it."
The boy nearly fell over causing Raiden to burst into laughter. He quickly got to his feet, face still red, and stared her down, "No! I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Really?" She raised a brow still holding her grin. Three. Two. One. Beastboy's gaze dropped slightly and fell on her chest that was close to bursting out of the obviously too small bra.
"Good god!" He turned around so fast that he ran into the lounged chair and hit his knee causing him to wince in pain. Not only was his face red, but his entire body followed suit in matching the candy-apple shade.
Raiden burst into laughter again, "No wonder you don't get dates. You're so immature when you're with a girl." She started to put on the clothes.
"Hey hey hey!" Beastboy rubbed his knee, "You're no girl and I'm not with you alright." He limped towards the window and looked out of it, "Besides, I like to think I'm a decent and respectful guy. I don't go around groping chicks."
Raiden knew that so it wasn't a surprise to her, him coming out and saying it was. Even though she teased him about acting serious and immature…it was nice seeing this side of him. It only confirmed that the guy could be responsible when he needed to. She smiled softly to herself as she watched him standing by the window. Beastboy sighed as he turned back around only to find her staring at him. "W-What?"
Raiden shook her head, "Nothing."
"Looks like the clothes fit well enough." He commented, relieved that she finally was clothed.
"Yep, nice and comfy." She hugged herself.
He shook his head and took out his phone, "I've been trying to reach anyone since we've arrived but no one in answering. Not their phones. Not their communicators. Nothing."
"Nothing." Raiden then remembers her visions, "Garfield."
"Yeah?" He turned to her but then realized what she called him. He raised a brow a bit curious yet confused until he saw the expression of worry on her face. "Raiden? What's up?"
"I think…they're in trouble."
"How would you know that?"
"When you left earlier…I had these visions and—"
Beastboy lifted a hand for her to stop, "Say no more. If they're anything like Raven's then there's a…" He thought to himself, "…ninety-five percent chance that you're right."
Raiden smiled softly, "Okay."
"So where are we headed?"
"Tokyo."
Beastboy sighed, "Ugh…that's a bit far from here."
"Yeah, but we can both fly so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides…" The girl had suddenly moved and was face to face with him. He almost fell over again as she whispered in his ear. "…if I'm with you, I know I'll be safe."
Beastboy felt his palms get sweaty as Raiden moved away from him and gave him a wink before she exited the room to head to the front desk to sign her release forms. His heart was racing again and the warmth in his cheeks were more intense than ever. What was going on? He could feel a smile wanting to form across his lips until the face of his dark team member appeared in his thoughts. She's Raven's daughter you idiot! Do you want to die?! His thoughts yelled at him and that "almost smile" disappeared quickly. He exited the room to follow Raiden, "I don't want to die. I don't want to die." Was the words he softly spoke to himself.
{ }
Robin hopped from rooftop to rooftop after descending the one of his hotel's. His mind was clouded with thoughts of almost everything that's happened in the last few months. More so of those within the last few hours and he started to fear the way he felt about them. Not caring whether or not Aqualad or Starfire were hurt by his actions. That wasn't him…was it? His heart was pained by Starfire, if he was truly honest. But Aqualad…he deserved what was coming. Aside from these things, all he really thought about was getting back to Jump City to see Raiden and Raven. Despite what she may say, he'd make her see reason…he had to.
After another block or so, Robin took a break and sat on the edge of the current rooftop. He lifted his gaze to the sky above noticing the dark clouds that were still there, but the rain had stopped. He looked ahead and to his surprise saw Kida's place directly across. She was a nice girl and he's like to add her to his circle of friends, but his life was more complicated than what he wanted right now. It would be best to say his goodbyes before heading back. He made his way across and hopped down from the roof and right in front of her door. Just as he knocked, "Robin?"
He turned to see a familiar face, "Cyborg?" His friend stood some feet away until he rushed over to him and wrapped his team leader up into a bear hug. "Ouch ouch ouch!
You're crushing me buddy."
"Sorry! My bad." Cyborg released him and chuckled, letting the man catch his breath. "It's good to see you man."
"You too." Robin straightened himself and smiled.
"Hey." Cyborg looked him over, "Is it me or have you gotten older again?"
Robin shrugged, "I don't know. But I wouldn't be that surprised if I did."
"Right." Cyborg sighed, "So, what are you doing here?"
"Had to get away and clear my head remember?"
Cyborg shook his head, "Not Tokyo, here." He pointed down, "At this house."
"Oh I was just…" Robin thought about it, "…wait…why are you here?"
"This house."
Robin raised a brow, "You…why?"
"I was meeting—"
The front door suddenly swung open, "It's about time you got here." Someone shifted their eyes towards Robin, "Good, you found Dick as well."
"B-Bruce?" Robin had no idea what was going on, "What are you—?"
"Step in. I'll explain everything."
{ }
Starfire had made it back to Robin's hotel and rested her back against the wall on the side of the building. Never had her heart been pained so badly, aside from finding out that her sister was evil. This pain was something else she never dreamed of experiencing. Humanity…was so cruel…but they had some good attributes too. Her thoughts drifted to the blissful memories she shared with Robin. She still loved him. Why, when he didn't share her feelings? Her gaze lifted to the dark clouds above…she could still feel the touch of his lips from the beach…the one that mattered…that meant something. Robin. Tears begun to well up in her eyes until some rubble fell from the roof above, landing about a foot away from her. It caught her attention and she pushed off the wall and looked up as more came tumbling down. Starfire moved just in time and squinted her eyes only to have them widened at what she saw. Someone was hanging halfway off the roof. What would happen if they fell without the ability of flight?! "E-Excuse me up there?!" Star shouted out, "Please be careful! You are close to the edge and the fall would be most painful for you!" There was no response, "Hello?!"
Her words echoed off the walls before the area was filled with silence once again. She had a bad feeling about what might happen next as she tried to see the individual.
Before she could let another thought pass through her mind, the person's weight shifted sending them tumbling over and down. Starfire instantly grew anxious and panicked as she flew up. Within moments she was able to catch the falling individual in her arms and lower them to the ground safely. She looked at the one she had just saved and was surprised, that had slowly changed to sadness. "Aqualad." The water teen stirred in his slight unconsciousness. "I need to get you to a medical facility." Starfire carried him around the building.
"Star."
Her gaze dropped to him, "Aqualad, you're awake?"
"Don't take me…to a hospital."
"Why not?" She became confused.
He took a deep breath trying to gather enough energy to respond, "My sub…is at the river…east of here…go there."
"A-Are you sure?"
"Yes." He gave a nod, "I'll gain my strength back…more easily there."
Starfire watched as he drifted off again, "Alright." She flew them off eastward but it was hard for her to concentrate because of the condition Aqualad was in. Had Robin really done this to him? The girl could feel herself getting emotional and tears wanted to form again. Their team leader would never hurt a friend. Unless he wasn't the leader she remembered him to be. Or he and Aqualad were no longer friends. Each scenario didn't sit well with her and she didn't like it.
The river came into view and Starfire stopped in midair as she tried to locate the vehicle. She finally spotted the sub at the edge just where he said it was. The girl descended towards it and landed right next to it on the ground. "We are here, what no—?" Starfire looked down at him and noticed he was still out. She shook him lightly until he stirred awake, "The sub is here. What do I do?"
"Hop in and…push the gold button."
She raised a brow as she looked at the small vehicle, "Will we both fit?"
"I'm certain." Starfire nodded and as she approached, Aqualad's presence triggered a sensor within the jet causing the cockpit to open. She put him behind the pilot's seat where certain supplies would usually go. As for herself, Star decided to sit in the actual pilot's seat and once they were both situated, the cockpit closed shut. She then scanned the control panel for the gold button he mentioned. It didn't take her eyes long to spot it and she instantly pushed it causing a white mist-like substance to exit the ventilation. Star begun to panic thinking she hit the wrong button until she felt Aqualad's grip on her arm to assure her that things were okay. "Don't worry. It's only a healing substance for us Atlanteans."
She exhaled a bit relieved before watching him inhale the mist which seemed to calm the tension within his body. The girl wondered if it was the right time to bring up what happened between him and Robin after she left. Did she really want to know though? What if it was too painful for her to take? So wrapped up in her thoughts, Starfire didn't notice the sub submerged until she focused on the view outside the windshield. The water was dark and lifeless…like how her current sadness made her feel. She suddenly felt something from behind and turned around to see Aqualad sitting himself up, eyes opened. "Aqualad?" Starfire offered her assistance but he politely refused.
"How are you doing, Star?"
The girl grew silent as she contemplated the question. Why would he worry about her wellbeing in his current condition? What happened between her and Robin…she didn't know how to respond to such a question just yet. Everything that she thought she knew and was so sure of…had lost to the doubts that she had. How was she doing? She was sad but she hadn't really thought about how everything affected her. What was she to say or where would she begin in telling Aqualad how she truly felt. Her feelings scared her…how love suddenly turned into hate towards a dear friend who snatched away the love of the one she thought she was meant to be with. Or how that hate even went as far as being projected to the young girl that brought those two individuals together. That wasn't who she was, was she? She could feel her heart being torn in two trying so hard not to become someone she didn't recognize. It wasn't—her thoughts were interrupted by the soft touch of Aqualad's hand brushing across her cheek. Starfire's gaze met his and it was as sad a gaze as she felt.
"It's okay…Star." The girl hadn't realized that tears streamed down her face, but the few words he spoke made her even more aware of how she was really feeling.
"Aqualad I am…" She choked, "…I am horrible."
"No. Star, you're not."
"Only a horrible person would feel…hate in their heart for those she cares about."
Aqualad sighed sadly, "It's called being human…you've been around them long enough."
"That does not mean that it is okay to feel like—"
"Star." Aqualad leaned back behind the seat, "The way things went down tonight, we're entitled to feel however the hell we want."
"Even though I…" Starfire dropped her head into her hands, "…still love him."
His heart ached with his gaze lifted above, "And I love her." Words spoken beneath his breath.
"I…I just want to forget it all." Starfire sniffed.
Aqualad sighed as the last of the mist vanished back into the ventilation system. He felt rejuvenated and removed the top portion of his wetsuit that was torn. He then rummaged through some of the supplies he brought along to retrieve a new one. "Easier said than done."
"Aqualad." Starfire tuned to look at him.
"Yeah?" He turned to her with the new suit piece in hand and there were tears in her eyes.
"Help me forget…please."
He sighed, "I wish I could Star but—" The girl moved into his space making it a bit cramped as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The boy was almost speechless as he felt the breath of her lips caress his own. "I wouldn't know how." She shifted a bit, resting her head on the side of his as she embraced him and he returned the hug. The weight of her sitting on his lap took him by surprised because she was a lot lighter than he imagined.
"You want to forget too, right? About Raven?" Starfire choked out softly in his ear.
Did he? It would certainly be easier on him if he did but that's not how things worked in the real world. Having love for someone didn't just up and disappear…no matter how badly both of them wanted it to. Besides, the way Raven made him feel…he liked the person he was around her. How could he let her go to a guy like Robin? The thought made him angry all over again, to think that his happiness would be lost to someone who might not deserve it. It pissed him off. Like Starfire, he didn't like the way he had been starting to think or act. Without realizing, his grip on the girl in his arms had tightened as he gritted his teeth. "Star…you might be right."
She leaned back a little from him to lock gazes with him again, seeing his tear-filled eyes, "I am?"
"It's not like they give a damn about us, right."
His words saddened her, "That is the truth that hurts the most." Starfire lowered head to where it rested on his.
"Then let's forget."
"How?" The word left her lips in a faint whisper.
Aqualad moved a hand to brush away the hair that hung on the side of her face and cupped her cheek. "Kori…help me forget."
For some reason the way he said her name stirred a kind of weakness within her, "Together?"
"Together." He leaned towards her, letting his lips brush lightly upon hers as they exchanged a few gentle kisses before their lips locked. Aqualad released the suit piece that was still in his grasp and positioned his hand behind the girl's head. She let her fingers run through his hair as their kiss deepened, tasting the salt of the other's tears. The heat that radiated off of them caused the windshield of the vehicle to become slightly fogged. Starfire shifted her weight on his lap, rocking her hips against him. The friction got his arousal going and he moved to pin her against the back of the pilot's seat. They broke their kiss as he moved to place his lips upon the nape of her neck. She wrapped her legs around his waist and one of his hands grasped her thigh. The touch of his kisses upon her skin gave her such a heightened sensation as she placed a hand on his muscular arm while biting her lip.
"Help me forget." She pleaded in his ear. All of a sudden the sub shook tremendously as something collided with it, startling the two and causing them to stop. "W-What was that?"
Aqualad got up and moved around her to sit in the pilot's seat, "I'm not sure." He pressed a few buttons on the control panel and examined a sonar-like map that was visible on a small screen. "Looks like some kind of sonic wave."
"A sonic wave? What could have caused it?" Starfire peered out the windshield for any movement. Just as she posed the question, he zoomed out on the map and was able to pick up something.
"Some sort of building, but.." He entered some information in the database as Starfire waited for him to continue. "…wait…this can't be right."
"What?" She turned to him.
"It seems this place is somewhere underwater, not on the surface."
"Should we investigate?"
Aqualad strapped himself in, "Yeah, let's. It couldn't hurt." He started the vehicle and waited for Starfire to get situated in the area behind his seat before he took off. Silence fell between them and the boy sighed internally. Fate knew just when to intervene within his life…though he wouldn't complain about it this time. What the hell was he thinking? Sleeping with Starfire wouldn't change anything and probably just ruin another relationship of his. Something appeared in his peripheral vision and he turned to see the girl holding the top piece of his wetsuit that he had dropped earlier. He thanked her as he took it and put it on not wanting to address the tightness he felt in the lower portion of his suit still.
After handing him the piece, Starfire returned to her seat behind his and rested her back against it as she looked out the windshield. Her thoughts were just as clouded as his…what did she do? What did she almost do or let happen? Robin could nev—her heart became pained…would he even care if he knew? She sighed as she looked down at herself and noticed her uniform was a bit out of place. She took care of it but also became aware of the change in atmosphere between her and Aqualad. There was no way they could discuss things right now; she'd have to wait hoping that wherever they were headed would be a good distraction in the meantime.
{ }
Cyborg and Robin stood in silence as they tried to gather their thoughts regarding the information that Bruce had just shared with them. "So…" Robin looked the destroyed room over, "…Kida's behind those things then?"
"Precisely." Bruce folded his arms across his chest.
"And Sierra…" Cyborg chuckled, "…is her accomplice. How could I be so stupid."
Robin shook his head, "Are you sure? I mean I literally spent the whole day with the girl—"
"When have I ever lied to you Dick." Bruce sighed, "I've known the woman for years and believe me when I say that she's not just some absentminded rookie. She knows how the hero game works and is very intelligent. When she does something, it's not without a purpose or objective…personal or otherwise."
Something came to Cyborgs mind, "Speaking of which, if you know all this and came here to confront her, how did she get away? I mean…" He shrugged, "…you got here several hours ago right?"
"Your point?" Bruce's lack of a facial expression didn't give him away.
Cyborg took a glance down the hall and noticed a broken down door that lead to a room with messy bed. The boy's eyes shifted back to Bruce with a smirk, "Did y'all fight end up in the bedroom by any chance?"
"Oh for god's…" Robin turned to his mentor, eyes narrowed, "…really Bruce?"
The man sighed, "Life can be very complicated sometimes Dick. You'll find out what that means when you grow up." He approached him, "You mentioned you spent the whole day with her. When did you two first meet exactly?"
"Sometime last week. Not too long after I arrived here in Tokyo."
"Hmm." Bruce contemplated to himself, "And how often did you guys see each other?"
"Not too often. Every now and then."
"Did she ever say or do anything out of the ordinary when you were with her?"
Cyborg raised a brow, "Why does this sound like an interrogation? I'm sure Robin doesn't want your girl."
"This has nothing to do with that." Bruce's eye twitched.
Robin crossed his arms across his chest, "He's right Cyborg, this is just Bruce's way of analyzing as it were. But there's not a time I can think of."
"Every time you were with her, was it like this?" He motioned his hand down over him, "As Richard Grayson?"
"Yeah. Never told her that I was a Titan."
"You didn't have to tell her Dick. She's known who you were from the beginning despite the age, lack of tights and mask. She'd never forget the face of the man who changed her life forever."
"What…" Robin was confused, "…what does that even mean?"
"You two haven't gotten intimate have you?"
Cyborg held in his laughter as Robin's eye twitched, "No. That's one thing I'm glad I didn't pick up from you."
"Good." Bruce sighed, "Because I have reason to believe that she's targeting you."
"Me? Why me? You two are the ones that share a past." Robin snickered.
Cyborg shook his head, "The sidekicks always get the heat man."
"Shut it Cyborg." Robin turned back to Bruce, "Tell me, why me?"
"Years ago, before you came along and she lived in the manor…we used to exchange life tales. Her stories circled around her parents and how she became an orphan. How her stepmother didn't want anything to do with her and her father…well, her father she lost in an accident. Something that resulted from her finding her birth mother and Kida's powers that are now resting dormant inside her. Or was dormant, seeing as she used them on me tonight."
Cyborg raised a brow, "In the fight or—"
"In the FIGHT." Bruce's brow twitched again.
"Wait." Robin because curious, "What powers?"
"An aura-based telekinesis of some kind that's fed by emotions…just like Raven's." Bruce answered.
Robin's eyes widened, "Like Raven's? Is she from the-?"
"Doubt it." Bruce shook his head, "She was born here. However, her mother on the other hand, just might be."
"But what does any of that have to do with me?"
"Well to my knowledge, Dick, you were there the night of the accident."
Robin chuckled, "Bruce, I NEVER met this woman. And that accident had to be several years ago right?" He paced back and forth.
"You're right." Bruce nodded, "Who you are now hadn't…but who you will become has."
"Nightwing?" Cyborg let the name slip, "Are you saying that Robin's future self was there?"
"Yes."
"But what was he doing in the past?" Robin stopped his pacing.
Bruce shrugged, "Don't know. Kida simply said he mentioned something about business though didn't expect to get tied up in her family problems. He was with her father the night of the accident. Maybe she has some questions or blames you or Nightwing rather, for the way her life turned out."
"That's…" Robin ran his fingers through his hair, "…this is madness. I'm not even that guy yet and I've given myself another problem to deal with."
"Well…" Cyborg chimed in, "…maybe not mentally but on the outside you do look the part."
"Not helping Cyborg."
Bruce sighed, "Though that might be so, Kida does have a personal vendetta against me. So, you might not be the only one on her list because I might just be at the top."
"Really?" Robin raised a brow unconvinced.
"Despite what happened between Kida and I some hours ago, that's not going to deviate her from her objective.
Robin recollected Raven's decision regarding the two of them and sighed, "Sounds about right."
Bruce pulled out a pocket-sized device and entered in some data, "By the way, there's something I've been wondering about aside from my brief mention of it earlier. Why do you look like you've aged ten years resembling your future self?"
"We'd answer that question if we knew ourselves." Cyborg shrugged, "It's not only Robin though, Raven and Raiden have been aging at a crazy high rate."
"Hmm." Bruce pressed a red button upon the device, "And this isn't happening with anyone else?"
Robin shook his head, "No. But it hadn't started happening until sometime after Raiden arrived at the tower."
"Strange." Bruce thought to himself until his device got a reading on something, "There we are."
The other two approached him, "What's that?"
"I put a tracker on Kida and this is registering that she's at this location west of here." Bruce pointed, "We should heat out."
Robin nodded, "Cyborg, contact…" His heart nearly stopped as he thought about the girl, "…Raven and give her the coordinates."
"Robin, she's—"
"Kida and her accomplice have her Dick. I'm assuming it was happening when I intercepted Kida here." Bruce put his device away. "We'll most likely find her at the designated location."
Robin let the news sink in slowly as Cyborg and Bruce headed out the front door. Raven had been captured. Not only that but by someone he thought he could trust. He could feel anger and betrayal overcome him as he followed the other two out. There was no way Raven was in any real danger, right? How dangerous could Kida be…though Bruce was rarely wrong. He should've left Tokyo sooner…this would've never happened if he'd just—
"Robin?!" Cyborg's call to him interrupted his thoughts.
"Y-Yeah?"
His friend opened the driver's side door of the T-car while Bruce had made it across the street to his sports car. "Try to get ahold of Starfire and Beastboy would you. I think we'll need the backup." Cyborg then remembered something, "Star should have the jet…she took it after her falling out with Raven."
"What falling out with Raven?" Robin raised a brow.
"Let's discuss that after we complete the mission."
"Fine, but I won't be able to get ahold of Starfire." Robin got into the car on the passenger side.
Cyborg sighed, "What did you do?"
The two closed their doors, "We'll discuss it after this mission."
Cyborg shifted his gaze and narrowed his eyes at Robin, "Touche." He then saw Bruce's car take off, "The bat never wastes time." He started the vehicle and they pulled out, following Bruce down the street.
{ }
Bruce rode in silence trying to work out in his hand what Kida's objective was. There was no doubt within him that he dealt with him and Nightwing if she's been hanging around Robin. What he couldn't understand was how she figured out that Robin was the younger version of Nightwing. Not too many could look into the future or past, but perhaps her powers had grown over the years since she left the manor. It would be easier if he was her sole goal but taking Raven and throwing Robin into the mix…they had to be careful. Why take Raven though? Was the girl bait to lure Robin to her? Couldn't be since she's been able to parade around him without suspicion. So, what was it? What benefit would the girl be to her?
The man shifted his gaze to his rearview mirror and watched the T-car follow closely behind. Also, this aging process that his subordinate was going through. He mentioned that it didn't start until the kid showed up at their doorstep. Around the same time, those weird mechanisms started springing up too. There was no way it was a coincidence. Not to mention that the Titans, especially Robin and Raven, have been in a whirlwind of confusion that's created chaos within their team. Something wasn't right…something wasn't adding up and he hate to say it but maybe Raiden isn't innocent in all of this either.
{ }
Raven's body hung from some chains that were wrapped around her wrists. She shivered slightly, feeling cold and weak; her cloak was missing so there was no wonder. Her eyes slowly opened to see the ground below her come into view. However, they soon widened at the sight of what was etched into the ground; that all too familiar calling card of her father's. Raven lifted her head quickly to scan her surroundings but all she saw was darkness. In the distance was a faint light but there was no one to be seen. The feeling in her legs was coming back so she begun to swing them back and forth to get an idea of how high above the ground she might be hanging. The distance was greater than she originally thought but it wouldn't matter once she broken the chains.
The illumination in her eyes appeared and she wrapped the aura of her power around the binding chains. Though, when she willed to break them, nothing happened. Was she still too drained to do even this? Raven closed her eyes to meditate briefly on what she wanted to do…to focus her power. She attempted to break the chains again but it ended with the same result. What was going on? "That won't work you know."
Raven's gaze shifted in the direction the voice came from, "Who's there?" There was some movement that could be seen straight ahead; the figure of a woman. Echoed steps filled the air as she approached wearing a black sleeveless leotard that had a v-cut right above the bodice. It was the high heels of her boots that made that bone-chilling sound upon the ground. On her hands were a pair of black silk gloves and one rested on her hip while the other swung with each step taken. Her dark brown wavy hair that hung down the middle of her back bounced and the goldish glow in her eyes that seemed to match Raven's white one made the titan uneasy. "Who are you? Another one of my father's puppets?"
The woman chuckled as she finally stopped about a foot away from where Raven hung, the glow in her eyes depleting to reveal a pair of hazel colored irises. "Trigon? Family should not insult family my dear Raven."
"He is NOT my family." Raven practically hissed.
"Oh I wasn't talking about him." She grinned, "It's nice to finally meet you cousin."
"C-Cousin?" Raven was confused, "I don't know what your game is but I have no living relatives and out of the ones I knew of, you weren't apart of that list."
The woman sighed and shrugged, "The reason for that is, I was lost to my fellow brethren if I may enlighten you."
"Do I have a choice."
"Ouch." She shook her head, a finger lifted to her temple, "Do you think Aunt Arella would approve of you not giving her sister's daughter a single chance."
Raven's heart skipped a beat, "A-Arella…do not speak a name of which you know nothing about."
"Oh I know more than you think."
"If that were true, then you would know that she didn't have a sister."
The woman's grin returned, "Are you certain about that?"
Raven was very certain if she thought about the history concerning her family and birthplace. There was on record that came to mind about a relative of her mother's. It wasn't spoken of much because of that individual's rebellion…what was their name? The family suffered because of their actions and her mother was pained constantly at heart. At times her mother would use the individual as an example to Raven whenever she'd get out of line. She would tell her not to lose herself like…or so and so would've done so much good if she'd…what was the name Arella would—"Sephora." It came back to her.
The woman's grin remained, "It's amazing how the mind tends to forget things."
Raven shook her head, gaze lowered, "This doesn't make any sense. Sephora couldn't have had a daughter. The records show that shortly after exile she was presumed dead in another dimension."
"I'm sure that's what she wanted people to think. But low and behold, here I am. Was in the custody of my father for most of my life and didn't find out the truth about my real mother until right before my teens." She raised a hand and engulfed it in the goldish aura of her power.
Somewhere in the records Raven also remembered reading that Sephora was actually the half-blooded sister of Arella. Unstable with her powers which resulted in it being a gold tint. Apparently gold represented something entirely different in Azrath than in this universe; it symbolized instability but also unmatched strength to be cautious of. If this woman in front of her was indeed her daughter, then this was a new threat to her team that they might be unprepared for. "What do you want?"
"Oh nothing much, basically what every woman wants. A happy ending, someone who relates to her, revenge. You know, the norm."
Raven snickered, "Yeah, sure. What does any of that have to do with me?"
"Do you not see it?" The woman circled her, "How much we have in common. Left alone and orphaned. Emotions controlling us as if we have a choice. Falling for the handsome vigilante who in the end shattered our hearts like nothing." She now stood back within Raven's view, "Dear Raven, what I plan to accomplish will not only benefit me but you as well."
"I'm nothing like you." Raven gritted her teeth, "And I'm sure that someone like you is only looking out for herself. Just like your mother."
The woman chuckled, "Now who's speaking a name of which she knows nothing about." She turned her back to her, "I've made a new friend out here in Tokyo. Richard Grayson. Though I'm sure back in Jump City he likes to go by Robin."
"What did you do?" Raven's heart raced trying to figure out if the man had been in danger.
"Struck a nerve did I?" She grinned and turned to face Raven again, "No harm has come to him. How could I? He is my childhood hero after all. Wouldn't you agree that he's similar to us? Orphaned…and yet, he ended up in the same place I did years ago; Wayne Manor." She chuckled, "Under Bruce Wayne's care and secrets heh. Mr. Grayson might just have more in common with me…a match made."
"Just get to the point."
"No reaction from that either huh?" She grinned, "Anyone with eyes could see the connection…the attraction the two of you have. No matter how artificial it is."
"Artificial?" Raven snickered, "Call it what you want, but you know nothing about our bond." Her eyes begun to glow its whitish glow.
"Oh your bond your BOND. Spare me the sob story of your friendship turned romance." She waved Raven's remark off, "And you better watch that temper of yours. Those chains are designed with a mechanism that emits an electrical shock if anyone with our power tries to break them. The resulting pain is not fun." The woman turned and walked away from her.
"W-Where do you think you're going?" Just as Raven tried freeing herself with the use of her power, her chains let off a golden glow, tightening the grip on her wrists and sending an electoral shock throughout her entire being. Raven winced in pain until the shock was over and she felt the power she tried using was drained from her. Her body grew limp again, weak.
The woman turned her head to look back with a grin, "Sorry, but a have a date with a bat and a little robin. Oh, and there's one other thing…" She levitated in the air and flew over to Raven to whisper in her ear. "…I might need to absorb some of your power to fulfill the big finale at the end of all this."
"You…" Raven watched her fly away again, "…who are you?"
The woman stopped midair looking back one final time with a grin, "Rile…Kida Rile."