Fan Fiction ❯ A Visitor from the Past ❯ The Cracking Point ( Chapter 8 )

Declaimer: Please, I'm begging you, don't make me say it again, your gonna' make me say it again aren't you? Fine, I don't own Teen Titans.

 

Author's notes: Okay Slade's got Raven, and Artirion is in a major bad mood, let's see what happens.

 

The Cracking Point

 

Robin: Artirion!!! *He runs to the edge of the roof and watches as he falls

 

Artirion falls down, down, down into the rocky shore of Titan Island. The other guests then hear a god awful sound come from the ground, but Robin sees him as his grief and rage take over.

 

Starfire: Is friend Artirion okay? *She looks beyond worried*

 

Robin: He's physically fine, he's mentally distraught. I don't know what he'll do now.

 

They all hear the doors slam open and Artirion storms into the Tower. All the Titans, Batman, and Superman rush down to meet him.

 

Robin: Artirion, hey wait up.

 

He doesn't seem to hear he just walks over to his room with all the other is hot pursuit. When he gets to his room he throws his tux off and quickly dons his normal combat suit and takes his staff.

 

Robin: Where are you going?

 

Artirion: To find Raven.

 

Cyborg: No way, man. Against Slade in your condition you'll get yourself killed!

 

Artirion: No, I'm going to find them.

 

BB: Dude, you know we can't let you. *He puts his hands in his pockets*

 

Artirion: You know can't stop me. *There is icy determination in his voice

 

Robin: You'll die before you can get within twenty feet of her.

 

Artirion: I thought you knew me better than that, I will find Raven and I will bring her home.

 

Robin: There is nothing we can do to change your mind?

 

Artirion: Nothing.

 

Robin: Then we have no choice. Titans get him.

 

All the heroes in the hallway including Batman and Superman band together and attack Artirion, he manages to KO (Knock Out) BB and Robin but the rest overwhelm and bring him down. When he woke up he found himself strapped down to a table in the med lab. The other Titans were speaking outside the door.

 

Starfire: Must we keep him strapped down to the table of metal?

 

Cyborg: He is mad with grief, we can't let him up or he'll try to go after them.

 

Robin: Cyborg's right, we'll leave him here to calm down and the rest of us will go and find Slade.

 

At this point Artirion starts bellowing at the top of his lungs that they needed to let him go.

 

Artirion: LET ME GO, RELEASE ME NOW, I MUST GO AND FIND RAVEN, IF YOU DON'T LET ME GO I'LL DESTROY YOU ALL!!!!

 

Superman: He's…LET ME… threatening us, mightn't we want to…I'LL ESCAPE… put him in isolation, before he…I'LL RIP YOU TO SHREADS… escapes?

 

Suddenly there is the loud sound of snapping of thick leather then a crash like the sound of a breaking window accompanied by the resonating sound of a flat line. All the heroes rush in to find the whole room trashed and the bed Artirion was in looking like something hit by a bomb.

 

Superman: Nevermind.

 

Robin: Everyone fan out and find him.

 

All the Titans but Robin jump from the window that is broken and begin the search.

 

Robin: Superman, Batman I need you to see all the guests out of here.

 

Superman: No way kid, this is a job for the big leaguers.

 

Robin: No, we've fought Slade before and you haven't.

 

Superman: That puny little man can't stop me.

 

Robin: Oh yes he can, he isn't like normal men, he know your weakness. I've seen kryptonite in his lair, you and Batman need to get everyone home.

 

Superman: But we……….

 

Batman: Let the Titans go, they are better qualified to do this.

 

Superman: Alright, I guess if you think they can do it.

 

Batman: I do, Robin, if you'll remember was my apprentice. *Clark can't argue with this

 

Terra: I can't do this, what if you find him. I don't think I could fight him.

 

Robin: Alright Terra, you stay and help Superman and Batman

 

Batman, Superman, and Terra rush out of the room and Robin flies from the window to start his own search.

 

All the way across town Artirion lurks in the shadows stalking his prey like a monster cat ready to pounce at any time. Artirion sniffs the air like an animal and smells a whiff of Slade; he knows he is going in the right direction, his demon senses serve him well. He races off to the docks and finds a shred of Raven's wedding dress, he knows Slade is baiting him and he doesn't care. He knows where the next clue is and he is going for it.

 

Robin: Titans Report.

 

Cyborg: Nothin'

 

BB: Zip.

 

Starfire: My search has been unsuccessful thus far.

 

Robin: We have to find him before he……..unggghhhhhh!!

 

Robin falls to the ground unconscious, and a large robotic foot smashes his communicator.

 

Artirion has found the place, this factory is the place where Slade and Raven are but he smells other people too, he can't quite place them though. He decided he didn't care; the whole point now is Raven. As he steps over the threshold the lights on the roof illuminate in a long row showing where he is and at the end of the warehouse is Raven chained to a wall. He tried to reason with himself that it was a trap but he dashed on anyway, nothing would stop him from getting to Raven, nothing except carbonized titanium chains six inches thick that are secured to the wall with twelve bolts and heavy hooks, and wouldn't you know four of these suddenly sprang out and clasped him and drew taught. Looking down the hall he could see Slade, and knew he was smiling behind his mask.

 

Slade: Artirion, welcome. I see you have made yourself at home. *He chuckles evilly*

 

Artirion: Release me and Raven Slade, or suffer my wrath.

 

Slade: Big words for someone chained to a wall.

 

Raven: Artirion, help me.

 

Artirion: The other titans are on their way, they'll be here soon.

 

Slade: Oh I'm afraid they are already here.

 

At that moment four panels slide open and the four remaining Titans are pulled into view, they are secured much as Artirion is.

 

Slade: Now that you are all here we can begin the experiments.

 

Artirion: Experiments?

 

Slade: Yes, you see I want to know exactly what makes each and every one of you tick. *His only visible eye narrows in anticipation.*

 

Artirion: If you lay one finger on Raven I'll kill you.

 

Slade: Hmmm well, just for that I think I'll dicect her first.

 

Slade turns toward Raven behind him and the wall Raven is strapped to pivots and becomes a table. Artirion is thrashing wildly in the chains that bind him, causing them to strain but not break

 

Raven: Help. Please, no, what are you doing?!?

 

Slade grabs her head and jerks it up; he produces a long knife and draws it sharply across her cheek, her blood flows freely down her face. Slade holds the bloody knife in front of Artirion's face.

 

Slade: Oh look, I've cut her, what a shame.

 

Artirion: I'll kill you. You F***ing bastard. *He spits in his face as best he can and snarls.*

 

Slade: Ohh, an insolent one, huh? Well, I know how to fix that.

 

Slade walks over to Raven and raises the knife over his head, he is about to plunge it into Raven's neck when he heard the sound of chains shattering, he turns and his eye widens in surprise the chains binding Artirion have been ripped from the wall, Slade has just enough time to gasp in surprise before Artirion's fist makes contact with his chin, sending him flying into inner space and slamming hard into the ground, so hard he can't get up his leg is broken. Artirion is advancing on him with menace.

 

Artirion: You didn't head my warning, now you have doomed yourself.

 

Artirion raises his hand in a fist and begins slowly opening it, Slade feels full like he just ate a little too much, then it turns into a stomach ache, and then actual pain.

 

Slade: What's going on?

 

Artirion: I have created a force bubble inside your stomach, as soon as I open my fist you will explode………………………̷ 0;…from the inside out.

 

Slade grunts, his stomach really hurts badly now and he feels like he is going to pop.

 

Artirion: You have caused nothing but grief, and now it is time to pay the price.

 

Slade: No, please don't.

 

Artirion: THIS IS FOR ALL THE PAIN YOU'VE CAUSED *He adds in a low menacing voice* goodbye Slade.

 

He opens his fist to its fullest extent and Slade stops, time stands still for that one instant, and then boom. All the titans can see is a shower of red spray as Slade explodes showering the area around him in blood and entrails. The titans look on in frightened silence, as Artirion slowly turns, his blood-splattered face looking at them all with quiet finality. He walks to each of the Titans pulling them down off the wall and helping them to their feet. As he finally reaches Raven she looks deep into his eyes, behind the happy Artirion she sees a spark of insanity that she knows wasn't there before. She wonders if maybe this ordeal has pushed him over the edge, but as he speaks to her his voice is level and calm.

 

Artirion: Are you alright? *As he looks down at her he examines her cut, he can see it will heal but there will be a huge scar.*

 

Raven: I was so scared.

 

She buries herself in his body ignoring Slade's blood on his clothes. As he takes them all home they discuss what they are going to do next, Robin knows that Artirion is more dangerous now then he has ever been before, but he doesn't think he's cracked………………………..yet .

 

Authors notes~ Alright dudes, this is the episode right before the last episode in the Artirion Saga, so R&R and party on dudes (Line from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.